Abstract
The soybean looper (SBL) is one of the most damaging insect pests of soybean and other economically important crops worldwide. Although temperature has been reported to be a critical predictor of pest growth and development, very little is known about how temperature variations influence SBL population dynamics, which may aid in predicting SBL population outbreaks and dispersal. To examine this, we analysed the life table parameters of SBL by the age-stage, two-sex method under different temperature conditions. We also performed comparative analysis of antioxidant enzymes and total protein concentration from SBL larvae to unfold the enzymatic stress levels. Life table analysis revealed a significant extension in the developmental periods, and oviposition performance was adversely affected under extreme (extended) temperature conditions. Additionally, temperature stress elevated the antioxidant level, which negatively affected the growth and development of SBL, resulting in reduced plant damage. Population projections over an 80-day timescale simulation indicated that total SBL numbers would be significantly reduced during extreme temperature events compared to optimal temperatures. Overall, our findings suggest that extreme thermal stress had a negative effect on SBL growth and population progression, which could be used to meticulously predict SBL outbreaks and facilitate the development of a more efficient and sustainable management strategy.
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Acknowledgements
Special thanks to Shundalyn Moore (USDA-ARS, Stoneville, MS) for technical assistance in the laboratory and greenhouse. Additionally, we would like to thank Dr. Clint Allen and Dr. James Glover for their assistance in setting up the growth chamber experiments. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. The findings and conclusions in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy. Mention of trade names or commercial products in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
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The author(s) declare that financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article through U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Research Project# 6066-30400-001-000D Insect Control and Resistance Management in Corn, Cotton, Sorghum, Soybean, and Sweet Potato, and Alternative Approaches to Tarnished Plant Bug Control in the Southern United States. Partial funding was also received from the Mississippi Soybean Promotion Board (Project# 71-2025).
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Conceptualization and experiment design, R.D., J.G., R.K., and G.V.P.R.; validation, R.D., and J.G., data analysis, R.D., and J.G.; provided materials, J.G., G.V.P.R., and R.K.; writing—original draft, R.D., and J.G.; writing—review, and editing, R.D., J.G., R.K., and G.V.P.R. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
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Debnath, R., George, J., Kariyat, R. et al. Thermal variation associated stress response regulates the growth and reproductive potential of soybean looper. Sci Rep (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-36978-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-36978-1
