First report of potential egg parasitoid Telonomus spp (Hymenoptera : Scelionidae), on invasive pest, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) in maize (Zea mays) from Indian subcontinent

Abstract

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is an insect native to the tropical and subtropical Americas that has recently spread to Africa. where it predominately attacks maize, sorghum and other plant species. The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, is a lepidopteran pest that feeds on many economically important cereal crops such as corn, rice, sorghum, and sugarcane. Native to the Americas, it has become a serious invasive pest in Africa and Asia. Biological control is an environmentally friendly way of combatting the pest and contributes to an integrated pest management approach. Thus studies on the occurrence of Fall Army Worm (FAW) S. frugiperda and its natural enemies were conducted during 2020–21 at MARS, Dharwad, Karnataka, India in fixed plots to record potential natural enemies on FAW in maize ecosystem. Egg mass collected was observed for the number of adult parasitoids that emerged from egg mass, and the percentage parasitisation were recorded. The present study reports new associations of natural enemies on fall armyworm in India with reference to the northern Karnataka. Study revealed that the egg parasitoid, Telonomus spp. (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) was noticed; as potential egg parasitoid on FAW which accounted for 10–11% parasitisation at field level. Study on species level description is under process, specimen was collected has been sent to experts for their identification. Further identification of natural enemies and preserving the existing ones, through eco-friendly practices and judicial use of pesticides, allowing them to function effectively, which leads to effective management of FAW.