Semester of Graduation
Spring 2025
Degree
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Biological Sciences
Document Type
Thesis
Abstract
Climate change may alter host-pathogen dynamics in terrestrial ecosystems due to rising global temperatures and carbon dioxide levels. Here, we examined cannibalism and disease transmission using the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), an invasive agricultural pest, and its species-specific lethal baculovirus, Spodoptera frugiperda multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (SfMNPV), under various potential challenges of climate change. We used three temperature treatments (cooler, optimal, warmer) based on the fall armyworm’s thermal performance curve to simulate a changing climate and four artificial diets with various protein-to-carbohydrate ratios (low, equal, high, standard) to manipulate resource quality from altered carbon dioxide levels. We found that higher temperatures increased cannibalism in larvae on all resource types. Larvae cannibalized more when provided with a lower protein diet. Warmer temperatures led to slightly higher disease transmission of SfMNPV, though diet type did not influence infection results in cannibals. Changes in global temperatures and carbon dioxide levels could cause more frequent cannibalism in the fall armyworm and similar species, though disease transmission from cannibalism alone may not increase substantially. We also found significant differences in fitness estimates between each temperature and diet treatment; individuals fed more carbohydrates (lower protein) and kept at cooler temperatures had larger pupal masses, indicating potentially higher fitness, while individuals fed more protein and kept at warmer temperatures had lower fitness potential.
Date
4-22-2025
Recommended Citation
Rougeau, Kale, "Impacts of Climate Change on Cannibalism and Disease Transmission in the Fall Armyworm" (2025). LSU Master's Theses. 6129.
https://repository.lsu.edu/gradschool_theses/6129
Committee Chair
Elderd, Bret D.