Approaches for Assessing the Impact of Zea mays (Poaceae) on the Behavior of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Its Parasitoid Cotesia marginiventris (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Plant derived volatiles are cues used widely that guide the behavior of plant associated insects, influencing both ability insects to locate host plants, as well tritrophic interactions with predators or parasitoids. Therefore, an understanding how impact a specific ecological system may aid development plants less attractive pests more amenable biocontrol. Because each plant-insect interaction is different, it important develop bioassays compare different volatile profiles and assess their comparative attractiveness insects. To this end, we developed laboratory-based pair-wise choice assay determine oviposition preference fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), global crop pest, maize, Zea mays L. (Poaceae) profiles. An alternative greenhouse-based also was effect Z. on Cotesia marginiventris (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), parasitoid wasp can be biocontrol agent for S. frugiperda. These easily adaptable use range interactions.