Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith, 1797) is considered a key pest of maize. However, the artificial diets used for rearing this insect in the laboratory do not contain corn. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biology and to compare the food consumption by S. frugiperda, as well as the food preference of the larvae in the standard diet and the corn-based diet. Three of the following diets were evaluated: a standard diet based on beans (D₁), a diet with corn flour as substitute for wheat germ (D₂), and a diet replacing beans with green corn (D₃). The biological parameters evaluated were period and survival of larvae and pupae; weight of male and female pupae; sex ratio; fecundity; egg incubation period; and adult longevity. The nutritional indices were determined and the biological data obtained were used to determine the parameters of fertility life tables; we also performed a multiple-choice test (feeding test). Larval development of S. frugiperda occurred in all three diets, although without oviposition by females developed from larval fed on D₂. There was no difference among the diets in relation to the fertility life table parameters. The diet D₂ resulted in better ingestion, digestion, assimilation, and conversion of food, but was associated with a metabolic cost to assimilate the food. Using a multiple-choice test, we observed that the larvae preferred diet D₂. Based on our results, the most adequate diets for rearing S. frugiperda in the laboratory are D₁ and D₃.

Remote sensing can be applied to optimize efficiency in pest detection, as an insect sampling tool. This efficiency can result in more precise recommendations for decision making in pest management. Pest detection with remote sensing is often feasible because plant biotic stress caused by herbivory triggers a defensive physiological response in plants, which generally results in changes to leaf reflectance. Therefore, the key objective of this study was to use hyperspectral proximal remote sensing and gas exchange parameters to characterize peanut leaf responses to herbivory by Stegasta bosqueella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) and Spodoptera cosmioides (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), two major pests in South American peanut (Arachis hypogaea) production. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with a 2 × 3 factorial scheme (two lepidopterous species and 3 categories of injury). The injury treatments were: (1) natural infestation by third instars of S. bosqueella, (2) natural infestation by third instars of S. cosmioides, and (3) simulation of injury with scissors to mimic larval injury. We verified that peanut leaf reflectance is different between herbivory by the two larval species, but similar among real and simulated defoliation. Similarly, we observed differences in photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration, and photosynthetic water use efficiency only between species but not between real and simulated larval defoliation. Our results provide information that is essential for the development of sampling and economic thresholds of S. bosqueella and S. cosmioides on the peanut.

The rednecked peanutworm, Stegasta bosqueella (Chambers), is the main lepidopteran pest in South and Central American peanut fields. The species name was misspelled earlier in the literature and the incorrect name is still more cited. In this review, we revisit the history of S. bosqueella classification. Although the rednecked peanutworm is an important defoliator in some peanut producing countries, there is scarce information on some aspects of the biology as well as plant response to this insect species. Economic threshold levels are not yet well established and, consequently, decision making is compromised. Chemical control is the main tool used to control larval infestations. Moreover, some studies on host plant resistance, biological control, and attract-and-kill strategy were conducted to control the rednecked peanutworm. These tactics were promising and could be useful to enhance a peanut integrated pest management program. We present here a review of S. bosqueella life history, biology, ecology, and management options as well as needs for enhancing the current control strategies.

The Pacific Northwest of the United States, comprising the states of Washington and Oregon, produces approximately 75% of the US pears, significantly impacting the agricultural economy. However, high production costs and inconsistent pest management, particularly of the pear psylla (Cacopsylla pyricola) (Förster) (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), challenge orchardists. In response, Washington State University researchers and Extension specialists collaborated with pear growers and crop advisors to develop integrated pest management strategies, incorporating selective insecticides and biological control methods to manage pear psylla more sustainably. The Scouting Network project was established as a pilot initiative to support the transition to integrated pest management by providing critical pest and natural enemy data through a network of trained scouts. This project, concentrated in the Wenatchee River Valley, Washington, United States, and recently expanded to Hood River Valley, Oregon, uses a mobile application and a cloud-based database for real-time data collection and dissemination. Scouting reports enabled growers to make informed pest management decisions, optimizing interventions, and improving fruit quality while reducing unnecessary pesticide use. Feedback from participants indicated significant benefits, including better spray timing, enhanced fruit quality, and increased adoption of integrated pest management practices. The Scouting Network demonstrated that a pest monitoring network, along with the right tools, can promote the use of integrated pest management.