Meet the editor

Vonnie D.C. Shields, Ph.D., is Associate Dean, Fisher College of Science and Mathematics and a full professor in the Biological Sciences Department, Towson University, Towson, Maryland, USA. Dr. Shields' research explores gustatory, olfactory, and visual cues in insects. Her laboratory employs morphological, behavioral, and electrophysiological techniques to better understand sensory mechanisms by which larval and adult insects

find host plants and detect plant-associated volatiles. Dr. Shields received a BS and Ph.D. from the University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. A portion of her Ph.D. studies was carried out at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. After graduating, she accepted a research associate position to conduct postdoctoral studies at the Arizona Research Laboratories Division of Neurobiology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA, before she joined the faculty at Towson University where she rose through the ranks from assistant to full professor.

Contents

*and Chandra Pal Singh*

*and Mohd Mehdi*

*by Vonnie Denise Christine Shields*

**Preface XI**

**Chapter 1 1**

**Chapter 2 27**

**Chapter 3 43**

**Chapter 4 61** Bioactive Secondary Metabolites of Wild *Antheraea mylitta* Silkworm Cocoons

**Chapter 5 81**

Managing a Transboundary Pest: The Fall Armyworm on Maize in Africa *by Michael Hilary Otim, Komi Kouma Mokpokpo Fiaboe, Juliet Akello, Barnabas Mudde, Allan Tekkara Obonyom, Anani Yaovi Bruce,* 

*Winnifred Aool Opio, Peter Chinwada, Girma Hailu and Pamela Paparu*

RNAi-Mediated Control of Lepidopteran Pests of Important Crop Plants *by Shipra Saxena, Sneha Yogindran, Manmohan Arya, Yogita Sharma* 

Role of Pheromone Application Technology for the Management of Codling Moth in High Altitude and Cold Arid Region of Ladakh *by Barkat Hussain, Faizaan Ahmad, Ejaz Ahmad, Wasim Yousuf* 

*by Sayed Iqbal Ahamad, Kari Neetha and Shyam Kumar Vootla*

Functional Morphology of Gustatory Organs in Caterpillars

## Contents


Preface

This book is written by experts in their respective fields and is an invaluable resource for entomologists as well as biologists, ecologists, zoologists, teachers, and students. The topics presented in this book include information regarding (1) the biology, spread, management, and biocontrol of fall armyworm, *Spodoptera frugiperda*, in Africa, (2) RNAi-mediated control of lepidopterous crop pests, (3) use of pheromonal-baited traps to disrupt mating for use against the codling moth, *Cydia pomonella*, (4) the importance of fibroin and sericin, two types of proteins, in the structure and composition of cocoons in polyphagous Tasar silkworm moth *Antheraea mylitta* in India*,* and (5) how the sense of taste plays a critical role in the feeding behavior of insects, with specific

In Chapter 1, "Managing a Transboundary Pest: The Fall Armyworm on Maize in Africa", Otim et al. review efforts to manage the fall armyworm, *Spodoptera frugiperda*, a main pest of maize. This chapter covers the biology, origin, and distribution of this insect species. In addition, the chapter discusses favored host plants, damage, crop losses surveillance and monitoring using pheromonal lures and traps, and field assessments. The authors discuss agroecological management strategies, including weed manipulation and intercropping, transgenic approaches, and chemical control. The authors emphasize the importance of collation and dissemination of research outputs, capacity building efforts, and effective policy implementation as additional strategies

In Chapter 2, "RNAi-Mediated Control of Lepidopteran Pests of Important Crop Plants", Saxena et al. examine alternative, more environmentally favorable approaches of insect control in lieu of the use of insecticides and *Bacillus thuringiensis* toxins to improve plant protection. The post-transcriptional gene-silencing mechanism ribonucleic acid interference (RNAi) has surfaced as a new, sustainable, and environmentally favorable approach that supports insect management and crop protection. This latter technology relies on the idea that small pieces of RNA can terminate protein translation by binding to the messenger RNAs that code for those proteins. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) and microRNA (miRNA), in addition to the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC), bind to the complementary mRNA and prevent ribosomes from continuing to produce the associated protein, thus inducing gene silencing at the post-transcriptional level. RNAi shows much promise as a tool in molecular biology. The authors evaluate how the

RNAi mechanism has been applied in controlling lepidopteran crop pests.

In Chapter 3, "Role of Pheromone Application Technology for the Management of Codling Moth in High Altitude and Cold Arid Region of Ladakh", Hussain et al. analyze the use of pheromone dispensers and pheromone-baited traps to disrupt mating for use against the codling moth, *Cydia pomonella*. Annually, this pest is known to destroy various fruit crops, including apples, in various regions of India. While insecticides are cheaper and can target a broad array of insects, they are typically hazardous to consumers, not environmentally friendly, and may lead to resistance and death of natural enemies. The authors consider the constraints involved with current management practices and their limitations with respect to maintaining orchards (i.e., plant pruning, orchard maintenance, climate conditions, etc.) and discuss the benefits of pheromone-driven technology as an important means to manage the

reference to gypsy moth caterpillars, *Lymantria dispar*.

for pest and disease management.

codling moth.
