FALL ARMYWORM OUTBREAKS IN ASIA: ANALYZING THE STRATEGIES TO CONTROL

Abstract

Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is a Lepidopteran moth of Noctuidae family. Due to its polyphagous characteristic with a large host range, strong migration ability, high fecundity (average egg production per female is about 1500) and lack of diapause has already contributed to its invasiveness in America and Africa. Recently it has been introduced in Asia in the year 2018. Though it has been only around three years of Fall armyworm (FAW) introduction, it has already spread into many Asian countries and on the way to cause havoc. Though it can infest many crops, its main target and maximum yield loss has occurred in case of Maize. In America and Africa, farmers are already well known to this pest and have adapted themselves to reduce crop loss to some extent by undertaking several management options. As this pest is completely new to Asia, farmers do not know much about its biology, nature of damage and control measures. And their misdiagnosis of the pest leads to panic and increased crop loss. Therefore, it is very important to increase awareness among the farmers to identify its attack on the right time to take suitable control measures as well as preventive measures for upcoming cropping seasons. Some of the cultural, mechanical, biological and chemical control measures those were effective in reducing its infestation outside Asia, has also found to be effective inside Asia. Collaboration of these control measures according to the field condition is main concern for the cultivators. But the integrated pest management option alone can also help to keep FAW population much below economic injury level and prevent its invasiveness as a tool of sustainable management for ensuring food security.