Influence of Light and Humidity on Infection Dynamics of Potential Entomopathogenic Fungus Against Spodoptera frugiperda

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Published Aug 29, 2026
https://doi.org/10.55043/jaast.v10i3.591
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Vol. 10 No. 3 (2026): Journal of Applied Agricultural Science and Technology

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Ambar Susanti
Universitas KH.A. Wahab Hasbullah
Suharto Suharto
Universitas Jember
Hardian Susilo Addy
Universitas Jember
Tri Candra Setiawati
Universitas Jember

Abstract

The effectiveness of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) in suppressing insect pests is strongly influenced by environmental conditions, particularly light exposure and relative humidity. This study evaluated the effects of ambient light and relative humidity on the pathogenicity and infection dynamics of Simplicillium lanosoniveum against Spodoptera frugiperdalarvae. A completely randomized design factorial 2 x 2 was used, with light exposure (ambient light under open and dark under enclosed conditions) and relative humidity (45% RH and 80% RH) factors.  Second–third instar larvae were inoculated with EPF, and each treatment included 25 individually reared larvae, arranged into five biological replicates of five larvae each, with each larva maintained in a separate. Larval mortality was recorded daily for 10 days and analyzed using a generalized linear model (GLM) with a binomial distribution. Ambient light exposure, relative humidity, and their interaction had no statistically significant effects on larval mortality (p > 0.05). Goodness-of-fit statistics indicated that the model adequately fit the data, with deviance and Pearson chi-square values close to unity. Numerically, the highest mortality (92%) and the shortest median lethal time (LT₅₀ = 6.4 days) were observed under dark conditions at 80% RH, whereas the lowest mortality (72%) and the longest LT₅₀ (8.3 days) occurred under ambient light at 45% RH Although the observed numerical pattern suggested a tendency toward faster infection under higher humidity, it was not statistically significant. Overall, S. lanosoniveum maintained relatively stable pathogenicity across the tested environmental conditions, indicating its potential for development as a biological control agent against S. frugiperda.

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Author Biographies

Ambar Susanti, Universitas KH.A. Wahab Hasbullah

Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas KH.A. Wahab Hasbullah, Jombang, Indonesia

Suharto Suharto, Universitas Jember

Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Jember, Jember, Indonesia

Hardian Susilo Addy, Universitas Jember

Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Jember, Jember, Indonesia

Tri Candra Setiawati, Universitas Jember

Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Jember, Jember, Indonesia

How to Cite
1.
Susanti A, Suharto S, Addy HS, Setiawati TC. Influence of Light and Humidity on Infection Dynamics of Potential Entomopathogenic Fungus Against Spodoptera frugiperda. J. appl. agricultural sci. technol. [Internet]. 2026Aug.29 [cited 2026Aug.29];10(3):609-20. Available from: https://jaast.org/index.php/jaast/article/view/591

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