author(s)
Rajavamsi M, Sree Latha Edpuganti and K Sneha Madhuri

abstract
The selective ovipositional behaviour of Fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda was studied at NIPHM under laboratory conditions through cage experiments to provide the basis for its oviposition preference on different crops to pave a pathway to find an ecological solution for its management. Oviposition preference of Spodoptera frugiperda was evaluated under multi-choice conditions with corn (Zea mays L.), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench., pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.), Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) and Desmodium (non-specific). The number of eggs laid by the FAW on maize was high when compared to the pearl millet and sorghum indicating the oviposition preference towards maize over other crops. Eggs were laid by the fall armyworm on Napier where as Desmodium was not preferred for oviposition and thus experiment produced promising results that the Napier grass can pull the egg load of S. frugiperda. Based on our data Napier and Maize were highly preferred crops compared to others. The egg load was trapped by the Napier can be concluded by the nature of preference and the considerations observed in the laboratory host conditions.