Mean foliage consumption by fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) was measured, for each sex and instar, in laboratory conditions, on rice leaves of cultivars BR-IRGA 410 and Embrapa 6-CHUÍ. No significant difference of total leaf consumption was observed among caterpillars that developed males or females. Differences were observed among instars with the seventh one being responsible for the higher total consumption. Duration of larval stage was not different for males and females on both cultivars but significant differences were observed in the duration of different instars, independently of sex. The seventh instar was the longest and represented the higher daily consumption. Average daily consumption was similar to male and females in the instars tested, in both cultivars, and increased considerably after the fifth instar.
Insecta; fall armyworm; Oryza sativa; defoliation
