Cannibalism and intraguild predation involved in the intra- and inter-specific interactions of the invasive fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and lepidopteran maize stemborers

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Abstract Intra- and interspecific competitions play important role in determing spread and survival/death (cannibalism or intraguild predation) of organisms which share the same resource. However, the trends of relation between cannibalism and intraguild predation, and the costs and benefits of such behaviours are difficult to establish within insect communities and a little is known about how such behaviours are affected by invasive species. The present study was aimed at assessing the interactions between larvae of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) and maize stemborers (Busseola fusca, Sesamia calamistis and Chilo partellus) in relation to cannibalism and intraguild predation when they are subjected to utilize the same resource. Experiments involving treatments with either single species of S. frugiperda or any of the stemborers or pairwise species combinations were conducted under laboratory conditions. The experimental insect larvae were reared on maize leaves and monitored until the last developmental stage where larval survival, mortality, and cannibalism and/or intraguild predation were recorded. Results of the intra-specific interaction indicated that S. frugiperda exhibited cannibalism to a larger degree than the stemborers species, especially at the late instars stages. The higher cannibalism trait in S. frugiperda turned however to competitive advantage as it led to a higher degree of intraguild predation when they cohabit with other stemborer species. Overall, interaction with S. frugiperda is thus detrimental for the stemborer species and may be an important factor to explain the invasive success of the pest. Such knowledge is essential in designing successful integrated pest management strategies.

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