Abstract: 【Aim】 The objective of this study is to investigate the oviposition deterrent and antifeedant effects of plant essential oils (EOs) on a major invasive pest, the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, and provide a new method for the green control of this pest. 【Methods】 S. frugiperda collected from a maize field in Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province, South China and reared indoors for several generations was used. In the laboratory, the oviposition deterrent activities of EOs from 21 plants (Perilla frutescens, Cupressus funebris, Acorus calamus, Artemisia argyi, Capsicum annuum, Myristica fragrans, Zingiber officinale, Piper nigrum, Allium sativum, Cedrus deodara, Cinnamomum cassia, Mentha canadensis, Mentha spicata, Litsea cubeba, Melia azedarach, Citrus limon, Camellia sinensis, Cymbopogon citratus, Eucalyptus globules, Cinnamomum camphora and Plectranthus hadiensis) against S. frugiperda adults were investigated using the behavior selection method, while the antifeedant activities of these EOs against the 2nd instar larvae of S. frugiperda were evaluated using the leaf dish feeding method. 【Results】 At the concentration of 2.5 mL/L, Capsicum annuum EO and Melia azedarach EO had the best oviposition deterrent effects on S. frugiperda adults, with the deterrent rates of 89.13% and 88.83%, respectively. At the concentration of 5 mL/L, Capsicum annuum EO showed the best oviposition deterrent effect on S. frugiperda adults, with the deterrent rate of 100.00%. At the concentration of 10 mL/L, the EOs from Perilla frutescens, Cupressus funebris, Capsicum annuum, Myristica fragrans, Piper nigrum, Allium sativum, Cedrus deodara and Citrus limon showed obvious oviposition deterrent effects on S. frugiperda adults. Piper nigrum EO at the concentration of 2.5 mL/L had the best non-selective and selective antifeedant effects on the 2nd instar larvae of S. frugiperda, with the antifeedant rates of 98.67% and 97.37%, respectively. At the concentrations of 5 and 10 mL/L, Piper nigrum EO also exhibited the best antifeedant effects on the 2nd instar larvae of S. frugiperda, both with the antifeedant rate of 100.00%. 【Conclusion】 At relatively low concentrations, Cayenne pepper EO and Melia azedarach EO showed highly effectiveness in deterring oviposition of S. frugiperda adults, and Piper nigrum EO showed excellent antifeedant activity against the 2nd instar larvae of S. frugiperda. These plant EOs demonstrated promising application potential in the green control of S. frugiperda.

Key words: Spodoptera frugiperda, plant essential oil, antifeedant activity, oviposition deterrent activity, green control