Survey and Management of Fall Armyworm ( Spodoptera Frugiperda JE, Smith) on Maize ( Zea Mays L.), Ethiopia

Simple SummaryThe fall armyworm (FAW), a native of the Americas that was confirmed in Africa in 2016, has been reported to cause substantial damage to maize and sorghum in all sub-Saharan African countries. In Uganda, farmers rely mainly on synthetic insecticides, which can be harmful to humans, the environment, and significantly increase the cost of production. To lessen the disadvantages associated with synthetic insecticides, the use of parasitoids could be exploited. Fall armyworm parasitoids have been reported from the Americas, Asia, and some African countries, but not from Uganda. In this study, we aimed to determine the identity and distribution of FAW parasitoids in Uganda. We found 13 species of parasitoids attacking FAW in the surveyed locations. These included 11 species of insects in the wasp order and two in the fly order. Four of these are wasps that attack the eggs of FAW, while the remaining seven wasps and two fly species attack the larvae of FAW. Two wasp genera (Chelonus and Coccygidium spp.) were more abundant and widely distributed when compared with the other parasitoid species. All parasitoids contributed to an average of 9.2% FAW larval mortality rate across the study locations.The fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) has successfully invaded Africa, where it has significantly impacted maize and sorghum production. Management of FAW in Africa predominantly relies on synthetic insecticides, which are expensive, and negatively impact the environment and beneficial insects. We, therefore, conducted field surveys in Uganda in 2017 and 2019 to identify egg and larval parasitoids of FAW for possible use in integrated pest management (IPM) programs. Parasitoids were identified by their mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (mtCOI) gene sequences. We identified 13 parasitoid species belonging to three families of Hymenoptera: Platygastridae, Braconidae and Ichneumonidae, as well as one Dipteran family (Tachinidae). Coccygidium spp. and Chelonus bifoveolatus were the most abundant and widely distributed parasitoids. Overall, parasitism averaged 9.2% and ranged from 3.1% to 50% in 2017, and 0.8% to 33% in 2019. Parasitism by Sturmiopsis parasitica, Diolcogaster sp., and Cotesia flavipes on FAW in maize crops are reported for the first time. Our results suggest high biological diversity of FAW parasitoids, which should be exploited in the IPM of the FAW in Uganda.

The sustainable management of the fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), with minimal environmental footprint has been a priority in sub‐Saharan Africa since the pest’s invasion. Biological control agents have been proposed as key components of an integrated management strategy. This study evaluated the field efficacy of two native entomopathogens—Beauveria bassiana (fungus) and Metarhabditis rainai (nematode)—against FAW in maize production. Field trials were conducted over two cropping seasons in two different ecological zones, assessing six treatments: B. bassiana, M. rainai, a combination of B. bassiana + M. rainai, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt: Bypel), emamectin benzoate (Attack), and an untreated control. Parameters assessed included FAW larval mortality, reinfestation rates, maize leaf and cob damage, and yield performance. Results showed that larval mortality caused by B. bassiana and M. rainai was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in the control and comparable (p > 0.05) to Bt. and emamectin benzoate treatments. FAW reinfestation, leaf damage, cob damage, and yield losses were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in entomopathogen and insecticide treatments compared to the control. While Bt. was superior in reducing cob damage and improving yield, other parameters were similar among the entomopathogen and insecticide treatments. Treatment efficacy on larval mortality, reinfestation, and yield varied by location, whereas seasonality influenced leaf damage and yield. B. bassiana and M. rainai thus proved as effective as Bt and emamectin benzoate in FAW management, though their combination did not exhibit a synergistic effect. These two native entomopathogens can be incorporated into the FAW integrated management system in Ghana.

Indiscriminate use of synthetic pesticides is likely to give rise to fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) resistance and environmental pollution which may result in poisoning of human. In view of these, there is need to develop naturally occurring insecticides which may be less toxic to man and animals but as effective against fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) of various cereals as synthetic insecticides. Field research was carried out in the Teaching and Research Farm of Federal University of Technology, Minna to evaluate the effect of Jatropha oil on the management of fall armyworm. The experiment was arranged in Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates and six varieties. 45 ml/ L of Jatropha oil was applied every week for four weeks using Knapsack sprayer. Data on severity of fall armyworm infestation, plant height, stem diameter, number of ears, number of rotten ears, fresh and dry cob weight and grain yield were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) the means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The results indicated that OPV maize variety recorded the highest grain yield while Oba super 6 demonstrated a tolerance against the infestation of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda). Therefore, farmers could plant OPV maize variety for its high grain yield and Oba super 6 for its tolerant against the infestation of fall armyworm.

Background: Fall army worm is an invasive insect pest in India during year 2018 which caused severe damage to the crop and economic loss to the farmers. So, the main objective of the study is to evaluate the efficacy and effectiveness of seed treatment, biological and insecticidal applications for the management of fall army worm in maize. Methods: The study was conducted Kharif, 2018 and 2019 at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Chintapalle, Visakhapatnam during. It was evaluated with eleven treatments, after seed treatment with Cyantraniliprole 19.8% + Thiamethoxam 19.8 FS 5 ml per kg seed in 03 windows of application at 20, 35 and 50 DAS with battery operated sprayer. Data was collected on number of larva per plant (20 DAS), per cent plant infestation and % cob infestation, yield (q/ha) and cost benefit ratio. Result: Among three windows of applications, third window application with different insecticides was found most significant, followed by second window application (poison bait with Thiodicarb 75WP) in comparison to control (20.96). In 3rd window treatments application, spinetoram 11.7SC @ 0.5ml (T3 with 0.74 and T8 with 1.14 %) and spinosad 45SC @ 0.3 ml (T4 with 1.35 and T9 with 1.39 %), were found most significant, followed by Chlorantraniliprole 18.5SC (T2 with 1.76 and T7 with 1.25 %) in the management of fall army worm. Least Cob damage per cent (T3 with 7.23 and T8 with 8.00 %) and maximum yield (T3 with 72.55 and T8 with 73.00 q/ha) was recorded in Spinetoram 11.7 SC. Thus Spinetoram 11.7SC followed by Spinosad 45SC and Chlorantraniliprole 18.5SC found effective against S. frugiperda in Maize.

Rice ( Oryza sativa L.), a primary staple food for billions of people worldwide, faces a growing threat from the invasive fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), in Asia. Given the predominance of small-scale farmers in Asian rice production, which accounts for over two-thirds of global rice output, the region is highly vulnerable to FAW infestations. The FAW’s rapid reproduction, extensive dispersal capabilities, and remarkable adaptability pose significant risks, with the potential for substantial yield losses comparable to those observed in other crops. Recent reports highlight a concerning host shift of the corn-specialized FAW strain towards rice cultivation in Asia. Beyond direct yield losses, FAW infestations can lead to the excessive use of pesticides, posing serious threats to human health and environment safety. Effective and sustainable FAW management in rice is crucial for ensuring long-term agricultural sustainability. Control strategies encompass a diverse range of approaches, including cultural techniques, biological methods, chemical interventions, and habitat manipulation. The absence of rice varieties resistant to FAW underscores the urgent need for accelerated development through genetic engineering. Cultural control practices, such as staggered planting, deep tillage, crop rotation with non-host species, and improved field sanitation, can effectively reduce FAW populations. While promising, methods like trap cropping and push-pull strategies require further field validation in rice systems. Biological control measures utilize natural predators, such as big-eyed bugs and ground beetles, and parasitoids like Telenomus remus and Campoletis sonorensis . Additionally, entomopathogenic agents like Metarhizium rileyi , Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), and Beauveria bassiana offer environmentally sustainable alternatives to chemical insecticides. While synthetic insecticides remain an essential component of FAW management, the increasing prevalence of pesticide resistance and associated economic losses necessitate a shift towards eco-friendly solutions. The growing resistance of FAW to multiple insecticide classes underscores the urgent need for robust resistance management strategies. This review emphasizes the critical role of integrated pest management (IPM) in combating FAW in Asia, advocating for a balanced approach that prioritises biological control, effective cultural practices, judicious use of insecticides, and sustainable agricultural methods to mitigate FAW damage and ensure long-term rice security for the region.

This study evaluates the unique and combined effects of three complementary ICT-based extension methods ― interactive radio, mobile SMS messages and village-based video screenings ― on farmers’ knowledge and management of fall armyworm (FAW), an invasive pest of maize that is threatening food security in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Building on a survey of maize farmers in western Uganda and using various selection-on-observables estimators, we find consistent evidence that participation in the ICT-based extension campaigns significantly increases farmers’ knowledge about FAW and stimulates the adoption of agricultural technologies and practices for the management of the pest. We also show that exposure to multiple campaign channels yields significantly higher outcomes than exposure to a single channel, with some evidence of additive effects. These results are robust to alternative estimators and also to hidden bias. Results further suggest that among the three ICT channels, radio has greater reach, video exerts a stronger impact on the outcome measures, and greater gains are achieved when video is complemented by radio. Our findings imply that complementary ICT-based extension campaigns (particularly those that allow both verbal and visual communication) hold great potential to improve farmers’ knowledge and trigger behavioural changes in the identification, monitoring and sustainable management of a new invasive pest, such as FAW.

This study investigated maize farmers’ knowledge, control methods, and perception of the invasive and highly destructive insect pest, fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in southwest Nigeria. A four-stage sampling procedure was employed in selecting 195 maize farmers in the study area. Data were obtained with the aid of structured questionnaire and analysed using percentages, means, standard deviations, and chi-square test. The majority (88.7%) of respondents observed fall armyworm attack within two months after sowing, only 30.8% of them reported total damage to maize plants by fall armyworm. Most (75.9%) of the respondents could describe the destructive larval stage of fall armyworm, 58.5% of respondents exclusively applied synthetic insecticides for fall armyworm management. The most common insecticides used by respondents were organophosphates (37.2%), pyrethroids (29.0%) and avermectins (18.2%). Perception of fall armyworm damage as a serious and worrisome problem was very high (4.82) amongst maize farmers. Strong and significant association (χ2 = 41.3) was found between farmers’ agroecological zones and the severity of fall armyworm damage reported. Integrated pest management approach is a sustainable alternative to the sole use of insecticides and should be promoted. Information provided in the study will enhance decision-making for fall armyworm management interventions in southwest Nigeria.

Population life tables for the invasive fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda fed on major oil crops planted in China

Fall armyworm (FAW) is a serious pest of maize causing major yield loss throughout the world. FAW management is not easy primarily due to its ability to migrate into areas lacking resistant cultivars, lack of diapause, and evolving resistance to control measures. Here, we discuss genetics of both maize and FAW and deployment of genetic control including historical resistance breeding efforts, transgenic Bt traits, gene identification studies to promote marker-assisted selection, and various recent advancements to accelerate maize improvement such as genome editing, genomic selection, high throughput phenotyping, and RNAi. FAW management can also be achieved using an integrated pest management approach. Challenges to IPM control include climate change, complex cropping systems and the wide range of hosts for FAW. We suggest that multinational cooperative public and private research will be needed to create an integrated insect resistance management (IIRM) approach for FAW control tying together genetics of the crop, the pest, and insect predators; genetic and agronomic monitoring and control methods; and a changing environment. This will give breeders the time to use advanced plant breeding techniques to create and deploy maize cultivars with stress resilience, yield stability and grain quality.

This study assessed the perceptions and management strategy choices of maize farmers in Ghana towards fall armyworm (FAW) infestation, which poses a severe threat to their livelihoods, and examined the factors influencing farmers' adoption of FAW management strategies. All respondents demonstrated high awareness of FAW, with 98% reporting devastating effects on their farms. FAW affected an average of 30% of maize farmland, with farmers losing an estimated 536 kg ha-1, representing approximately 27% of expected maize yield. A significant knowledge gap persists in effective control measures, as indicated by a mean perception index of 0.21, reflecting farmers' limited understanding of effective FAW management strategies. Relative to biological/botanical and traditional pest management strategies, farmers largely perceive synthetic pesticides to be the ideal solution, with 42% strongly agreeing and 25% agreeing with this view. Factors significantly influencing control measure choice included age, gender, household size, labour, household head status, farm size, farm experience and non-farm income. The most pressing challenge with FAW management was difficulty in accessing synthetic control measures. Pest control practices vary significantly across agroecological zones, suggesting the need for region-specific strategies. Despite high awareness of FAW, farmers lacked adequate knowledge of effective control strategies, with many applying pesticides based on hearsay rather than expert recommendations. These findings underscore the need for targeted training programs focused on improving farmers' understanding and adoption of integrated, sustainable FAW management practices, while addressing the misguided perception that synthetic pesticides are inherently superior. © 2026 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Pest insects known as fall army worm (Spodoptera frugiperda) can feed on over 80 different types of crops. It has the potential to significantly reduce the yields of major cereal crops including oats (Avena sativa L.). The oat crop is one of the preferred hosts of this pest. This fodder crop is directly used as animal feed so, chemical control of pests is not preferable. One of the alternatives for the management of fall army worm on fodder oats is the use of microbials which have some advantages over the use of chemical insecticides, as they are highly host specific with low environmental contamination. Beauveria bassiana is a fungus and can be used to control this pest. So, the present study was undertaken to standardize the dose of Beauveria bassiana for management of fall army worm. The virulence test was conducted against third instar larvae of S. frugiperda. The larvae were treated with three doses of B. bassiana of 1×1012spore/ml concentration i.e.,1, 2, and 3ml/L, by dipping them for 30 seconds in 10 ml of suspension. In case of control, larvae were treated with distilled water containing a drop of Tween- 80 (0.02%). At 24 hours after treatment, the differences in the mean larval mortality among different doses of B. bassiana were non-significant. However, at 48 and 72 hours after treatment, the differences in the mean larval mortality among different doses of B. bassiana were significant. Highest larval mortality was recorded at 48 and 72 hours after treatment in 3 ml/L (29.39 and 86.67%, respectively).

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith, 1797) is the main defoliating pest of corn ( Zea mays L.) in Brazil. Corn expressing proteins of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) associated with synthetic insecticides is common to manage FAW. However, FAW evolved field resistance to several insecticides and Bt proteins. In this sense, biological insecticides based on Baculovirus spodoptera have become a valuable alternative to control FAW. Our goal was to evaluate the control efficacy of FAW with either biological or synthetic insecticides on Bt corn hybrids. Managing FAW in early-planted non-Bt (Pioneer 30F53R) and Bt corn (Pioneer 32R22YHR, DKB 290, Morgan 20A78,) both required up to 4 or 5 synthetic insecticide applications to manage FAW. Late planted Bt corn required 3 to 7 insecticide applications, depending on the insecticide used, while non-Bt corn required 5 to 7 sprays. Independently of planting date, those corn expressing Vip proteins (Brevant 2401, Pioneer 30F53VYHR) did not require any insecticide spray. The application of insecticides is needed to increase the control of FAW in corn hybrids expressing only Cry toxins. Exalt was the best insecticide to manage FAW in early and late planted corn. Despite treatment with biologicals, damage by FAW remained high and likely contributed to a lower yield in comparison to traditional chemical control. Synthetic insecticides had higher efficacy to manage FAW in early and late-planted corn. The application of biologicals to manage FAW should be further investigated in combination with time and spray technology to improve IPM and IRM.

BACKGROUNDSince first reported in Botswana, fall armyworm (FAW) continues to be a threat to crop production. This study aimed to estimate impacts of FAW on yield and farmers' livelihoods in Botswana, and to obtain data that could be extrapolated to national level. Further, farmer knowledge of the pest, management practices and pesticide use for FAW management were assessed.RESULTSIn fact, 76% of the 220 respondents had seen FAW in their farms in the 2018/2019 cropping season, affecting almost the entire and about half of cultivated area for maize and sorghum, respectively. Thus, 51% of the respondents implemented FAW control measures, with chemical pesticides (27%) being the most common management against FAW. Only 33% of respondents in 2018/2019 were food self‐sufficient, as opposed to 80% in an ordinary year, with farmers who reported not to have been affected by FAW more likely to be insufficient with food (88%) compared to 60% of the farmers who reported FAW attack. Drought was ranked the major stress experienced by the famers (35%), and also showed significant yield reducing effects on maize yield with pest and diseases reported second most important. Pesticides (20%) and training on pest management (18%) were the top ranked needs by farmers interviewed.CONCLUSIONSThis study confirms the impact and threat of FAW to crop production in Botswana. Chemicals remain the go‐to control option by a majority of the farmers. Other low‐risk technologies exist and are proposed for adoption in the management of FAW. Of note is the acknowledgement that a single control strategy will not be effective against FAW and as such integrated pest management (IPM) on an area‐wide scale is needed to achieve best results. Mass awareness, training and demonstration will be required to achieve this.

Two species of predacious bugs, Eocanthecona furcellata (Wolff) and Andrallus spinidens (Fabr.) (Hemiptera:Pentatomidae) were found effectively preying on Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) in organically grown maize from 28 to 56 days at GKVK, Bangalore. Population of E. furcellata in one square metre was more than A. spinidens during the 38 th and 39 th standard meteorological weeks. Adults and nymphs of both the species preyed on different stages of S. frugiperda larvae. These two species being initial colonizers has a potential in integrated management of fall army worm.

Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), fall armyworm (FAW), a polyphagous Noctuid pest, was first reported in Uganda in 2016. Farmers were trained to identify and manage the pest, but there was a lack of information on farmer knowledge, perceptions and practices deployed to control it. Therefore, we conducted a survey to assess maize farmers' knowledge, perceptions and management of the pest during the invasion. We interviewed 1,289 maize farmers from 10 maize-growing agro-ecological zones (AEZ) of Uganda using well-structured questionnaires. The data were analyzed using R version 4.2.3. The respondents faced many constraints, including pests, drought, poor soils and labor constraints. Among the pests, FAW was ranked by most (85%) of the respondents as the number one pest problem in maize, and some farmers reported having noticed it way back in 2014. By 2018, more than 90% of the farmers had seen or heard about FAW, and about 80% saw FAW in their fields. The most common FAW symptoms reported by maize farmers were windowing, near tunnel damage, and holes on the cobs. The developmental stages of FAW identified by farmers included eggs (10%), young larvae (78.7%), mature larvae (73.5%) and adult moths (6.7%). Insecticides were the major control tactic, although some farmers used plant extracts, hand-picking, sand, and ash. Farmers sourced information on FAW from various sources, including fellow farmers, radio/TV, extension agents, input dealers, print media, research and NGO extension. There is a need to package clear and uniform information for the farmers and to develop and promote a sustainable solution for FAW management, including harnessing biological control and cultural practices.