Opuntia ficus-indica cladode extract is a phagostimulant agent that impairs the morphophysiology of midgut of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) caterpillars

•Opuntia ficus-indica cladode extract (CE) is a phagostimulant to Spodoptera frugiperda caterpillars.•CE disorganized the midgut epithelium and increased cytoplasm vacuolation of columnar cells of caterpillars.•CE increased the size of goblet cells and induced the disappearance of the peritrophic membrane at the midgut of caterpillars.•CE reduced the amount of neutral polysaccharides and protein content at the midgut epithelial cells of caterpillars.