1Division of Entomology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi110012, India
2Department of Entomology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru560065, Karnataka, India
3Department of Entomology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad580005, Karnataka, India
4Department of Entomology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur584104, Karnataka, India
*Email: pujarkishor94@gmail.com (corresponding author)
This study examines the microbial diversity of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda as a preliminary step toward pest management. Larvae were reared on natural and artificial diets with varying streptomycin concentrations [0.5g (2X) to 1.5g (6X) mg/ 200 ml, and control (0.25g (X)]. Results revealed a decrease in bacterial diversity (four bacteria), particularly at higher antibiotic concentrations (6x), with Firmicutes, especially Enterococcus, becoming dominant (75%). Higher streptomycin levels led to reduced pupal weights (0.127 g at 6X) and maximum of deformed adults (93% at 6X). The study revealed that, higher streptomycin levels reduced bacterial diversity, pupal weight, and adult emergence in S. frugiperda.
Antibiotic, artificial diets bacterial diversity, diversity, dysbiosis, deformation, dominance, enterococcus, fall armyworm, firmicutes, natural diet, Spodoptera frugiperda, streptomycin sulphate
