Morphological Trait Analysis Showed the Existence of a Migratory Ecotype in the Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda.

ABSTRACT: Spodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworm, FAW) has rapidly spread across Asia and Africa in recent years, with its seasonal long-distance migration ability serving as the biological basis driving its region-wide outbreaks. Although the migratory biology of FAW has been extensively studied, it remains unclear whether there is stable differentiation between migratory and non-migratory individuals. In this study, we revealed the significant differences in morphological parameters between migratory populations and laboratory-reared populations. The migratory populations exhibited a greater body length and width and forewing size, as well as a lower body weight, compared to the laboratory colony. After three generations of indoor rearing, the migrants' morphology and flight capacity converge

SUBMITTER: Ma J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12842096 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature