Resistance in Common Centipedegrass to the Fall Armyworm

Plant resistance was demonstrated in common centipedegrass, Eremochola ophiuroides</it> (Munro) Hack., to Spodoptera frugiperda</it> (J. E. Smith). Both antibiosis and nonpreference mechanisms of resistance were found when compared with bermudagrass, Cynodon dactylon</it> (L.) Pers., and carpetgrass, Axonopus affinis</it> Chase. Larval mortality at 9 days was as high as 50% on centipedegrass in the forced-feeding tests. Fall armyworm larvae preferred carpetgrass or bermudagrass by as much as 6 to 1 over centipedegrass. Results also indicated that, if larvae were produced on a susceptible host in a mixed stand of centipedegrass, some of the larger fall armyworms could possibly survive, but a strong antiobiotic response would remain and thus affect larval growth.