Serangan Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) pada Pertanaman Jagung di Kabupaten Lamongan

Abstract

In Indonesia, corn is the second-most important food crop after rice. Corn is widely used as food, feed ingredients, fuel, and industrial raw materials. Lamongan Regency consists of 27 Districts and 462 Villages with an area of 1,812.80 km2. Increased productivity of corn in Lamongan Regency has been constrained by several factors, one of which is the emergence of armyworm pests (Spodoptera frugiperda), which attack the growing points of corn plants. The armyworm, S. frugiperda, is an invasive insect that has become a pest of maize (Zea mays) in Indonesia. This study aims to observe the symptoms of attack, calculate the percentage of attack and the intensity of damage, and identify environmental factors that influence the development of S. frugiperda larvae populations. The research was carried out using a sampling technique using the scouting method with the letter "W." The observed maize planting area was 1.49 ha and was divided into 4 observation plots. The corn variety planted was Pertiwi 3, with a plant age of about 15–30 days after planting. The results of the identification of the larvae found on the leaves were Spodoptera frugiperda. Larvae are identified by an inverted Y-shape on the head and a cluster of four dots forming a square on the upper surface of the last body segment. Based on the results of observations, it is known that the damage caused by S. frugiperda attacks on corn plants in all plots includes severe and very heavy damage levels. Symptoms of the resulting damage include bite marks on the growing points, gnawing on the leaves, and dirt such as powder or fresh frass left on the surface of the leaves. Damage intensity ranges from 45-71%, with an attack percentage of 100%. Biotic and abiotic factors influence the development of S. frugiperda populations.