Status of Natural Enemies and Entomopathogens on New Invasive Pest Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) under Maize Ecosystem in Indian Subcontinent

Abstract

The pests’ natural enemies were explored by collecting FAW eggs and larvae from maize fields. The survey also revealed natural parasitism by egg parasitoids viz., Telenomus sp. (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) and Trichogramma sp. (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), gregarious larval parasitoid Glyptapanteles creatonoti (Viereck) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) solitary larval parasitoid Campoletis chlorideae Uchida (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), and a solitary indeterminate larval-pupal (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Ichneumoninae) parasitoid. Spodoptera frugiperda is the first host record for G. creatonoti across the globe. The parasitiods were raised in the laboratory for emergence, recognition and effectiveness as natural enemies. Cotesia or Apanteles spp. were concluded to occur since emerged. Besides these, other commonly found bioagents viz., Forficula sp. (Dermaptera: Forficulidae) and entomopathogenic fungus Nomuraea rileyi (Farl.) Samson was also collected in large numbers. Therefore, the occurrence of Spodoptera frugiperda natural enemies in India represents for advocacy campaign to include their use into IPM strategies that enhance and permit bio agents to boom for control of fall armyworm.