Protocol for Cross-species characterization in the reproduction of Spodoptera Sunia (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Stage 1: Field tracking

The search for Spodoptera sunia was carried out in an onion plantation in Sébaco (12.87845, -86.09147), it was inspected in the upper and lower part of the leaves, larvae of different instars were collected, later they were placed in polyethylene cups of 4 and 16 ounces with the leaves and bulbs for food, and were quarantined in the laboratory for up to three generations.

Stage 2: Laboratory phase

The assembly of the bioassays was carried out in 2 phases (Adults and larval length). The treatments were: T1: Spodoptera sunia species brought from the field, T2: Spodoptera sunia species from the Noctuid Insect Breeding Laboratory (CIRCB), T3: Spodoptera sunia species Crossing (field-laboratory) established under controlled conditions at a temperature of 27°C and relative humidity of 70-80%.

Adult Phase

Once the adults had emerged, they were placed in oviposition cages lined with recycled paper with a cotton pacifier with 10% diluted honey and another water pacifier for feeding. This procedure was carried out during the days of the adult's life, counting the mass of oviposited eggs, and disinfected with 3 % formalin for 15 minutes, then they were rinsed with water and dried to be placed in 5-pound bags marked with the date of laying and date of hatching.

Once the eggs hatched, 40 to 50 larvae were placed in 16-ounce polyethylene cups, adding soybean diet to feed them, then the newborn larvae were transferred with a camel hair brush and labeled with their date of laying, date of hatching, and individual transfer date.

Larval stage length

When the larvae reached their third instar, they were individually transferred into 4-ounce polyethylene cups. Once they pupated, they were sexed with the help of a sexing identification guide (Rizo et al., 1994), taking into account the morphology externa of the abdominal end of the pupa, with the aid of a Westover Scientific stereoscope. The pupae were weighed on a Denver Instrument Co Denver Analytical Balance, Cool, and Serial No 3570 in Mg.

Adults: in the test, plastic cages (10 ltr buckets) were used, lining with recycled paper and adding a 10% honey sucker on the surface and another water sucker for their feeding, 13 females and 13 males were deposited in each of the field, laboratory and cross treatments, changing the paper lining daily.

The postures were collected and disinfected with 3% formalin for 15 minutes, then they were placed in 5-pound bags and observed daily to be transferred into 16-ounce polyethylene cups with the help of a camel brush, depositing approximately 50 larvae.