Impact of Temperature Variation on the Biological Traits and Lifecycle of Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): A Meta-Analysis Approach.

Abstract

Spodoptera exigua is a pest of considerable economic importance; however, detailed research into its ecological adaptability in newly invaded habitats is limited. This research performed a comprehensive analysis of the life history characteristics of S. exigua under varying temperature, photoperiod, and humidity conditions. A total of 264 studies that met the inclusion criteria were included in the analysis, and the data were examined using random-effects model, fixed-effects model, and meta-regression analysis techniques. The findings reveal that when temperatures exceed 20 °C, several biological parameters of S. exigua significantly increase, with the highest biological activity observed at 33 °C. As temperature rises, the duration of each developmental phase significantly decreases, accompanied by a reduction in the average number of eggs produced by females and a shorter pre-oviposition period. In addition, the pupal development period is shortened, resulting in a longer adult lifespan. By considering environmental variables such as temperature, photoperiod, and relative humidity, we identified the optimal conditions for the survival of each developmental stage of S. exigua. These results provide a foundation for predicting the population dynamics of this pest and contribute to the development of more effective pest control strategies.