Behavioural Ecology of the African Armyworm, Spodoptera Exempta (Walker): Observations on Population Processes During a High-Density Outbreak

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
During sporadic outbreaks of S. exempta, population densities sometimes reach extremely high numbers. Monitoring at 1 outbreak revealed that a considerable synchrony exists in the developmental processes of such populations, so that at times up to 97% of the population is represented by only 1 stage of development. Heavy pupal mortality with symptoms of a cytoplasmic virus infection was noted. Flight behavior of emerging adults revealed differences in the flight activity of the moths. Although a majority of the emerging moths flew away from the area, some stayed back. Eggs laid by the latter produced a 2nd brood but, due to depletion of the food source, this brood did not survive in any appreciable numbers and finally died out.