TEMPORAL MATING PATTERNS OF THE FALL ARMYWORM Spodoptera frugiperda (LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE) POPULATIONS IN INDONESIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR STRAIN INFERENCE AND PHEROMONE COLLECTION

Vani Nur Oktaviany Subagyo, I Made Samudra, Dadang Dadang, Purnama Hidayat

Abstract


The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), an invasive noctuid pest first reported in Indonesia in 2019, poses a major threat to maize production. In its native range, two host-associated strains, corn and rice, are recognized, differing in both pheromone blend composition and nocturnal mating time. Understanding the mating behavior of local populations is critical for optimizing pheromone extraction and developing locally adapted lures. This study aimed to describe the nocturnal mating timing of Indonesian populations of S. frugiperda, assess its relevance as a behavioral indicator of strain identity, and identify an optimal scotophase window for pheromone-gland extraction. The results showed that the nocturnal mating time of S. frugiperda in Indonesia is concentrated in the early scotophase (≈3–6 h) and is more consistent across populations than mating frequency or success. Using circular statistics and generalized linear models under common-garden conditions, we quantified clear phase differences across nine populations while noting limited power to resolve concentration (κ) in low-activity groups. These findings provide a practical framework to standardize pheromone-gland extraction within a 3–6 h window after scotophase onset, which can reduce chemical variance and accelerate lure design. We propose this behavioral indicator as a decision-support tool, indicative rather than diagnostic, and recommend that it be combined with genotyping and pheromone profiling for reliable strain assignment. Local validation remains essential, especially in populations with low activity concentration. Future research should combine mating-time assessments with pheromone composition analysis and field studies using lures calibrated to the early-night schedule, thereby improving the practicality of pheromone-based monitoring and control in Indonesia.


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