The Existence and Population Dynamic of New Fall Armyworm Species Spodoptera frugiperda J. E. Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Abstract

Fall Armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a new pest in Indonesia that attacks corn plants. S. frugiperda larvae damage by eating the leaves to the growing point which can result in yield loss from 55 to 100%. This pest reportedly attacked corn plantations at the beginning of 2019 then spread almost throughout Indonesia. This study aims to study the distribution and population dynamic of S. frugiperda in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Preliminary research was conducted in Sleman and Bantul regency covering all district in these areas, then the research was continued in six corn fields in Bantul regency (Kasihan, Pajangan, Sedayu) district. The result show that the S. frugiperda has been spread throughout Bantul and Sleman District. The populations of S. frugiperda are different in each location, the density of each larvae ranged from 0-1 larvae per plant. Larvae population increased by increasing the age of plants. Mortality of S. frugiperda larvae found in the field was relatively low. Mortality is caused by fungal infections, entomopathogenic bacteria, parasitoid insect Tachinidae sp.1 and predatory insects Coccinella transversalis. The population rate was influenced by the internal factors of S. frugiperda itself that is the life cycle.