Spodoptera Frugiperda Research Articles

Meta-Analysis and Bibliographic Study: Effectiveness of Biological and Chemical Agents in Controlling Spodoptera frugiperda Based on Mortality Rate from Scopus-Indexed Journals (2019-2024)

This meta-analysis and bibliographic study aims to compare the effectiveness of biological and chemical control methods against Spodoptera frugiperda, using the mortality rate percentage as the primary parameter. Data were pooled from studies indexed in Scopus from 2019 to 2024. Biological agents include species like Telenomus remus, Bacillus thuringiensis, and Trichogramma spp., while chemical agents include substances like emamectin benzoate, chlorpyrifos, and lambda-cyhalothrin. The research spans across multiple continents, highlighting significant contributions from China, Mexico, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Ghana, Thailand, Cameroon, and Malawi, indicating a global effort to manage this pest. ANCOVA was employed to compare the efficacy of these control methods, controlling for covariates such as initial infestation levels and environmental conditions. The analysis confirmed the normality (sig. 0.51) and homogeneity of the data variances(sig.0.79), and linear relationships between covariates and the dependent variable were established. The final comparison revealed no significant difference between the effectiveness of biological and chemical agents in controlling Spodoptera frugiperda(sig. 0.279) This comprehensive assessment enhances the reliability and validity of the findings, providing insights for policymakers and agricultural practitioners to develop more effective pest management strategies and allocate resources efficiently.

Metagenomic profiling of gut microbiota in Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) larvae fed on different host plants

BackgroundThe fall armyworm (FAW, Spodoptera frugiperda) is a polyphagous pest known for causing significant crop damage. The gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in influencing the biology, physiology and adaptation of the host. However, understanding of the taxonomic composition and functional characteristics of the gut microbiota in FAW larvae fed on different host plants remains limited.MethodsThis study utilized metagenomic sequencing to explore the structure, function and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) of the gut microbiota in FAW larvae transferred from an artificial diet to four distinct host plants: maize, sorghum, tomato and pepper.ResultsThe results demonstrated significant variations in gut microbiota structure among FAW larvae fed on different host plants. Firmicutes emerged as the dominant phylum, with Enterococcaceae as the dominant family and Enterococcus as the prominent genus. Notably, Enterococcus casseliflavus was frequently observed in the gut microbiota of FAW larvae across host plants. Metabolism pathways, particularly those related to carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism, played a crucial role in the adaptation of the FAW gut microbiota to different host plants. KEGG orthologs associated with the regulation of the peptide/nickel transport system permease protein in sorghum-fed larvae and the 6-phospho-β-glucosidase gene linked to glycolysis/gluconeogenesis as well as starch and sucrose metabolism in pepper-fed larvae were identified. Moreover, the study identified the top 20 ARGs in the gut microbiota of FAW larvae fed on different host plants, with the maize-fed group exhibiting the highest abundance of vanRC.ConclusionsOur metagenomic sequencing study reveals significant variations in the gut microbiota composition and function of FAW larvae across diverse host plants. These findings underscore the intricate co-evolutionary relationship between hosts and their gut microbiota, suggesting that host transfer profoundly influences the gut microbiota and, consequently, the adaptability and pest management strategies for FAW.

Transcriptome analysis reveals glycometabolism and antioxidation-related genes involved in the antifungal immune response of Spodoptera frugiperda larvae against Beauveria bassiana infection

Transcriptome analysis reveals glycometabolism and antioxidation-related genes involved in the antifungal immune response of Spodoptera frugiperda larvae against Beauveria bassiana infection

Biological and Physiological Changes in Spodoptera frugiperda Larvae Induced by Non-Consumptive Effects of the Predator Harmonia axyridis

The effects of predatory natural enemies on their prey or hosts involve both consumption and non-consumptive effects. This study investigated the non-consumptive effects of the predator, Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) on 1st, 2nd and 3rd instar larvae of Spodoptera frugiperda. We exposed larvae of different instars to the predator and assessed various parameters using a combination of biological and biochemical methods. Exposure to the predator significantly affected the growth and development of the S. frugiperda caterpillars. Firstly, the developmental duration of S. frugiperda larvae in the 1st–3rd instars and the pupal stage were notably prolonged. Moreover, we observed significant effects on pupal mass, pupal abnormality rate and emergence rate. These non-consumptive effects were gradually weakened with an increase in the larval stage exposed to the predator. Antioxidant enzyme activities including catalase (CAT) peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity increased significantly. Additionally, organismal triglyceride, trehalose and glycogen content were significantly altered by non-consumptive effects, while protein content showed no significant change. Spodoptera frugiperda larvae increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes in response to potential predators to mitigate oxidative stress and reduce cellular and tissue damage. This resources redistribution towards survival may inhibit growth and development of the species and further exacerbate these non-consumptive effects. These findings highlight the importance of considering non-consumptive effects in pest-management strategies to optimize control measures in agricultural systems.

New Prospective Insecticidal Agents Based on N-(arylcarbamothioyl)arylmide Derivatives Against Spodoptera frugiperda: Design, Synthesis, Toxicological, Biological, Biomedical Studies and Antibacterial Activity.

In this work, a novel series of N-(arylcarbamothioyl)arylmide) 2-11 were synthesized by treating One-Pot three-multicomponent of Aroyl chloride, ammonium isothiocyanate and amine compounds under refluxing conditions. Using spectroscopic methods, the chemical structure of the novelty developed compounds were investigated. After five days, the proposed derivatives' insecticidal bioassay was assessed using the median lethal concentration (LC50) against the second & fourth larvae of Spodoptera frugiperda as toxicity agents. The findings showed that, to varying degrees, every tested substance exerted insecticidal effects on S. frugiperda larvae in both of their instars. Compound 9 was the most poisonous of them all, having an LC50 against larvae in their second and fourth instars of 60.45 and 123.21 mg/L, respectively. Additionally, a few biological and biochemical characteristics of the substances that were generated in a lab setting were also looked at. Furthermore, this work discusses how to discover novel compounds that may one day be employed as insecticidal agents. Finally, all the designed components were monitored for their antibacterial effectiveness toward both Gram-positive & Gram-negative bacteria.

Intercropping Alters Phytochemical Defenses Against Insect Herbivory.

Given the multiple possible mechanisms for interspecific chemical interaction between adjacent heterospecific plants, phytochemical defenses of pest-susceptible crop species could potentially be enhanced or altered by intercropping with phytochemically diverse neighbors. We assessed the influence of intercropping between phytochemically diverse plants on aerial volatile organic compound (VOC) emission profiles by intercropping Melilotus alba and Triticum aestivum with Silphium integrifolium in AMF-inoculated soil. We also assessed the impact of intercropping on induced plant defenses by conducting an in-situ, no-choice bioassay with Spodoptera frugiperda. Of eight compound classes we identified across the three plant species, prenol lipids (terpenoids) were upregulated in silflower plants when monocropped with wheat and when herbivory was induced. Carboxylic acids and organooxygen compounds were reduced in sweetclover when intercropped with silflower, but increased under herbivory. Uninfested wheat plants emitted more organooxygen compounds and fatty acyls than infested plants when intercropped with silflower, but not when monocropped. This study showed that VOC emissions of plants from three diverse taxa are altered by both intercropping and herbivory in ways that may impact their resistance to insect herbivory. Further research into the role of intercropping on pest resistance in agroecological systems could help farmers to design intercropping systems that optimize natural plant herbivory defenses, thus improving agricultural sustainability.

Dominant strain shift in the invasive fall armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) populations in Thailand as inferred from mitochondrial COI and nuclear Tpi genes.

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a significant global pest, that exhibits 2 discernible strains, corn strain (CS) and rice strain (RS). After initial detection in the eastern hemisphere in 2016, the dominant strain was identified as RS based only on cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) mitochondrial gene from limited samples from various countries, including Thailand. This study aimed to assess strain and haplotype variation in the S. frugiperda populations in Thailand using both mitochondrial COI and nuclear triosephosphate isomerase (Tpi) genes. Analyses of COI sequences (n = 105) revealed 2 predominant haplotypes, COICSh4 (82.86%) and COIRSh1 (17.14%), and the analyses of Tpi sequences (n = 99) revealed 6 haplotypes, with TpiCa1a (53.53%) being the most prevalent. Of the 98 caterpillar samples, the majority exhibited true CS (83.67%) for both genes. Meanwhile, interstrain hybrids, indicated by gene discordance, accounted for the minority (16.33%). Interestingly, despite the initial dominance of RS during the 2018 outbreak, the current study identified CS as the prevalent strain across all localities in Thailand. These findings suggested a shift in S. frugiperda dynamics in Thailand that was possibly influenced by factors, such as competitive exclusion principle, pesticide usage in rice cultivation, and preferences for corn over rice. Our study suggests a need to reexamine the previous reports of rice-strain dominance in various countries in the eastern hemisphere after the initial invasion.

Co-production of hemagglutinin H9N2 influenza virus and fusion protein Newcastle virus in insect cell using baculovirus expression system.

Influenza and Newcastle disease are the most important poultry diseases that cause high annual damage to poultry farms worldwide. Newcastle virus fusion (F) gene and Influenza Virus Hemagglutinin (HA) gene are capable of encoding F and HA proteins that are the main factors in creating immunity, so this study aimed to clone and express these genes in Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells using baculovirus expression system. After isolating the Newcastle and Influenza virus genome, the HA gene of influenza virus and the F gene of Newcastle virus were amplified by reverse transcriptase PCR and specific primers and then cloned into pFastBacTM Dual plasmid. A recombinant sucker with these genes was produced in the DH10Bac host cell. By transfecting Sf9 cells with recombinant bacmid, expression was assessed by SDS-PAGE, western blotting, and Bradford methods. Cloning of genes into the bacmid was successful. By transfecting the recombinant bacmid into Spodoptera frugiperda cells, 218 µg/ml of the recombinant protein was obtained in the supernatant. In addition, the presence of protein was confirmed by western blotting. The PCR products of HA and F genes showed one band of 1.7 kb size using specific primers. The pFastHA1 vector was about 7 kb in size. Two bands of about 7 kb and 1.7 kb were created by ligation of the F gene and pFastHA1 vector based on enzymatic digestion, indicating the correct ligation of F gene under the P10 promoter. This is the first report on the cloning and Co-expression of two HA and F genes using baculovirus expression system and can be a candidate for dual influenza and Newcastle vaccine. Mixtures of these recombinant proteins can be used as vaccine candidates against both avian influenza and Newcastle disease.

Oviposition behaviour and larval attraction of the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to different maize plant varieties for pest management in Nigeria

Phytophagous insects likely select suitable host plants for oviposition based on olfactory and tactile cues. However, details of how insects differentiate among different plant varieties are often unclear. The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda J. E. Smith) is a highly destructive pest on maize, but little is known about the attraction and oviposition preference of S. frugiperda to different maize varieties, particularly in the context of sub-Saharan Africa, where the insect is a major threat to maize production. We determined the oviposition preference of S. frugiperda females on six different maize plant varieties three of which were hybrid varieties and three were open-pollinated varieties, in multiple-choice and no-choice assays. We also evaluated the attraction preference of S. frugiperda larvae on these maize varieties, using an olfactometer bioassay. We found that S. frugiperda females oviposited significantly less egg masses on the hybrid varieties DEKAIB and 30Y87 than on the other varieties tested and that females oviposited less on the hybrid maize varieties compared to the open-pollinated maize varieties overall. Additionally, we found that S. frugiperda larvae were more attracted to the open-pollinated variety LMFP than to clean air, which was not the case for any of the other maize varieties tested. Taken together, our results show that S. frugiperda responds differentially to the different maize varieties and that hybrid maize varieties seem less attractive. Further investigating the chemistry of hybrid maize varieties like DEKAIB might yield clues on how to breed maize varieties with increased resistance against S. frugiperda infestation.

Effect of Storage Duration on the Insecticidal Activity of Neem (<i>Azadirachta indica</i>) Seeds Against Fall Armyworm (<i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i>)

Neem (<i>Azadirachta indica</i>), native to India, thrives in tropical and sub-tropical climates. Its efficacy against economically significant pests is attributed to the pesticidal properties found in its leaves, bark, and roots. Neem seeds are always harvested by smallholder farmers and stored for use in crop-growing seasons when their availability is scarce. This study aimed to determine if storage duration can affect the toxicity of these neem seeds. Neem seed extracts were tested for toxicity after being stored at different durations, they were stored for 1-3 years. The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of storage time on the insecticidal activity of neem seeds. Fall armyworm larvae were used to test for the neem seed extracts’ toxicity by feeding on maize plants which were sprayed with these extracts. The experimental design used was a complete randomized design in the laboratory. Extracts were made from neem seeds stored for 1-3 years which were harvested from year 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. Analysis of FAW larvae mortality at different concentrations (0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, and 2.0%) together with the control treatment under laboratory conditions was done. Damage severity rates of maize leaves in which the FAW larvae were allowed to feed were measured and FAW larvae mortality was calculated. The results showed a significant interaction between neem seed storage time and FAW mortality. The results showed that extracts from fresh neem seeds and those stored for one year had the lowest plant damage score. Also, the lowest mortality was obtained from seeds stored for 1 year and the fresh seeds because the larvae refrained from feeding. Following this study, we recommend the usage of fresh neem seeds and those stored for up to a year in the management of fall armyworms.

Insect resistant and glyphosate tolerant maize, Bt11 × MIR162 × GA21, can enhance management of fall armyworm and weeds in tropical Asia

Insect resistant and glyphosate tolerant maize, Bt11 × MIR162 × GA21, can enhance management of fall armyworm and weeds in tropical Asia

Economic injury levels of fall armyworm (<i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i> Smith) at early-whorl vegetative growth stage of quality protein maize variety

Economic injury levels of fall armyworm (<i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i> Smith) at early-whorl vegetative growth stage of quality protein maize variety

Utility of Cry1Ja for Transgenic Insect Control.

Insect control traits are a key component of improving the efficacy of insect pest management and maximizing crop yields for growers. Insect traits based on proteins expressed by the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) have proven to be very effective tools in achieving this goal. Unfortunately, the adaptability of insects has led to resistance to certain proteins in current commercial products. Therefore, new insecticidal traits representing a different mode of action (MoA) than those currently in use are needed. Cry1Ja has good insecticidal activity against various lepidopteran species, and it provides robust protection against insect feeding with in planta expression. For Bt proteins, different MoAs are determined by their binding sites in the insect midgut. In this study, competitive binding assays are performed using brush border membrane vesicles (BBMVs) from Helicoverpa zea, Spodoptera frugiperda, and Chrysodeixis includens to evaluate the MoA of Cry1Ja relative to representatives of the various Bt proteins that are expressed in current commercial products for lepidopteran insect protection. This study highlights differences in the shared Cry protein binding sites in three insect species, Cry1Ja bioactivity against Cry1Fa resistant FAW, and in planta efficacy against target pests. These data illustrate the potential of Cry1Ja for new insect trait development.

Exploring Metabolomics to Innovate Management Approaches for Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda [J.E. Smith]) Infestation in Maize (Zea mays L.).

The Fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), is a highly destructive lepidopteran pest known for its extensive feeding on maize (Zea mays L.) and other crops, resulting in a substantial reduction in crop yields. Understanding the metabolic response of maize to FAW infestation is essential for effective pest management and crop protection. Metabolomics, a powerful analytical tool, provides insights into the dynamic changes in maize's metabolic profile in response to FAW infestation. This review synthesizes recent advancements in metabolomics research focused on elucidating maize's metabolic responses to FAW and other lepidopteran pests. It discusses the methodologies used in metabolomics studies and highlights significant findings related to the identification of specific metabolites involved in FAW defense mechanisms. Additionally, it explores the roles of various metabolites, including phytohormones, secondary metabolites, and signaling molecules, in mediating plant-FAW interactions. The review also examines potential applications of metabolomics data in developing innovative strategies for integrated pest management and breeding maize cultivars resistant to FAW by identifying key metabolites and associated metabolic pathways involved in plant-FAW interactions. To ensure global food security and maximize the potential of using metabolomics in enhancing maize resistance to FAW infestation, further research integrating metabolomics with other omics techniques and field studies is necessary.

Assessing the Impact of Elevated Temperature on Reproductive Success in Fall Armyworm

Climate change poses a significant threat to insect populations, with rising temperatures potentially affecting their survival, fecundity, and overall reproductive success. This study investigates the impact of elevated temperature on the reproductive success of Spodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworm), a highly destructive and invasive pest. Newly emerged adult moths were exposed to a single heat stress event at 42°C for 2 or 6 hours, simulating extreme summer conditions. Fecundity and hatching percentage were measured to assess reproductive performance under thermal stress. The results revealed a significant impact of temperature on both fecundity and hatching percentage. Fecundity was significantly reduced to 1159.5 ± 35.6 eggs when adults were exposed to 42°C for 2 hours, compared to the control group at 27°C, which exhibited a fecundity of 1376.8 ± 30.9 eggs. Interestingly, a recovery was observed in the 6-hour exposure group, where fecundity increased to 1448.7 ± 25.5 eggs, comparable to the control. In contrast, hatching percentage showed a decline under prolonged heat exposure. While the control group and 2-hour exposure group had hatching percentages of 93 ± 1.2% and 90.5 ± 0.9%, respectively, a significant reduction to 78.2 ± 0.9% was observed after 6 hours at 42°C. These findings highlight the potential for heat stress to impair reproductive output in S. frugiperda, with implications for population dynamics under climate change. The study provides critical insights into how brief periods of extreme temperatures can affect pest populations, informing pest management strategies in the context of global warming.

Field evaluation of insecticides against the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda in maize

Field evaluation of insecticides against the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda in maize

Toxicity assessment of selected molecules against migratory fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith)

Toxicity assessment of selected molecules against migratory fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith)

Impact of mineral paraffin oil as an additive on the efficacy of garlic and ginger essential oils as natural insecticides against cotton leafworm and fall armyworm

Impact of mineral paraffin oil as an additive on the efficacy of garlic and ginger essential oils as natural insecticides against cotton leafworm and fall armyworm

Bio-efficacy of different insecticides against fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda of sorghum

Bio-efficacy of different insecticides against fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda of sorghum

Exploring The Potential of Thermal Imaging for Pre-Symptomatic Diagnosis of Fall Armyworm Infestation In Maize: A Case Study From Ismailia Governorate, Egypt

Exploring The Potential of Thermal Imaging for Pre-Symptomatic Diagnosis of Fall Armyworm Infestation In Maize: A Case Study From Ismailia Governorate, Egypt