biostudies-literatureKasoma CAlliance for a Green Revolution in AfricaAfrican Centre for Crop ImprovementInternational Foundation for Science1020https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9694902biostudies-literatureUnknown13(11)Knowledge of fall armyworm (FAW) (Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith) rearing, infestation and development and precision screening protocols are preconditions for the successful introgression of resistance genes into farmer-preferred varieties. We aimed to determine FAW developmental stages, screen tropical maize and select resistant lines under controlled conditions in Zambia. Field-collected FAW samples constituting 30 egg masses and 60 larvae were reared using maize leaf- and stalk-based and soy- and wheat flour-based diets at 27 ± 1 °C, 60 ± 5% relative humidity and 12 h day length. The resulting neonates were separated into sets A and B. The life cycles of set A and field-collected larvae were monitored to document the FAW developmental features. Set B neonates were used to infest the sInsectsFall Armyworm Infestation and Development: Screening Tropical Maize Genotypes for Resistance in Zambia.PMC9694902ACCI PhD ScholarshipC/6147-1Kasoma CLaing MDMekonnen BShimelis HfalseFall Armyworm Infestation and Development: Screening Tropical Maize Genotypes for Resistance in Zambia.Knowledge of fall armyworm (FAW) (Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith) rearing, infestation and development and precision screening protocols are preconditions for the successful introgression of resistance genes into farmer-preferred varieties. We aimed to determine FAW developmental stages, screen tropical maize and select resistant lines under controlled conditions in Zambia. Field-collected FAW samples constituting 30 egg masses and 60 larvae were reared using maize leaf- and stalk-based and soy- and wheat flour-based diets at 27 ± 1 °C, 60 ± 5% relative humidity and 12 h day length. The resulting neonates were separated into sets A and B. The life cycles of set A and field-collected larvae were monitored to document the FAW developmental features. Set B neonates were used to infest the s2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Nov2026-04-08T00:38:33.431Z2025-04-19T14:43:02.362ZS-EPMC96949023635484410.3390/insects13111020