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Fall Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Diatraea lineolata (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae): Impact of Larval Population Level and Temporal Occurrence on Maize Yield in Nicaragua
Abstract
Four experiments were conducted in Nicaragua over a 3-yr period to determine the effect of whorl-stage infestations of Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) and Diatraea lineolata (Walker) on maize grain yields. The experiments separated the effects of period of infestation from level of infestation. Results from all experiments demonstrated that maize is more tolerant of lepidopteran infestation during early growth stages than at later stages. Infestation during mid-through late whorl caused yield losses of 15-73% when 55-100% of the plants were infested with S. frugiperda. D. lineolata infestations were highly correlated with S. frugiperda. D. lineolata infestations were highly correlated with S. frugiperda infestation. Economic injury levels ranged from 23 to 63% of the plants infested with S. frugiperda and D. lineolata over a range of potential yields, using mean yield reduction from the 4 experiments, and an average 75% insecticide effectiveness.
... tion in Latin America (30-70%,Hruska & Gould, 1997;Murúa et al., 2006;Lima et al., 2010;Ayala et al., 2013;Aguirre et al., 2016), Asia (e.g. 39-70%,Bhusal & Bhattarai, 2019) and Africa (21-67%:Day et al., 2017;Prasanna et al., 2018;Kumela et al., 2019;Houngbo et al., 2020;De Groote et al., 2020;Otim et al., 2021; Van den Berg et al., 2021). ...
Fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, is a major pest of maize worldwide. Since its first report in West Africa in 2016, FAW has quickly spread causing severe outbreaks and crop losses. Chemical control remains the primary management option despite its adverse effects and its increasing inefficiency but safer and more effective alternatives exist. Here, we investigated the effectiveness of two bioinsecticides, a microbial and a botanical ones, in reducing the damage caused by FAW larvae to maize leaves and cobs, and their effects on yield. This was compared to that of two chemicals commonly used against FAW, deltamethrin- and a binary lambda-cyhalothrin and acetamiprid-based insecticides. A field trial was conducted in 2018 and 2019 in northwestern Senegal using a randomized complete block design. Without treatment, 1–25% of the total leaf area and 3–44% of the maize cobs were damaged by FAW. Despite different levels of damage between the two years, the same pattern was revealed with insecticide applications. Although deltamethrin insecticide may, in some years, reduce defoliation and cob damage, the effect of chemical insecticides, if any, was not reproducible, and maize yield was not improved. In contrast, azadirachtin and Bacillus thuringiensis formulations significantly reduced FAW damage on leaves. The proportion of damaged cobs could also be reduced by a factor of between 2 and 7.5 and the total maize yield was at least doubled. The scope of our results is discussed in the context of S. frugiperda control, particularly in Integrated Pest Management programmes and farmers’ practices.
... Yield reductions in maize due to its feeding had been reported to be as high as 34% (Cruz et al., 1999). Maize yield losses have been estimated at 15 to 73% when infested with FAW (Hruska & Gould 1997). Theannual economic losses in Ghana and Zambia have reached US$ 177.3 million and US$ 159.3 million, respectively (Abrahams et al., 2017). ...
The study was conducted from November 2021 to April 2023 in the field and laboratory
of Department of Entomology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural
University, Gazipur, Bangladesh to know the abundance of arthropod species on sweet
corn plants and to assess the effect of four insecticides namely Winmax 40 WG,
Ripcord 10 EC, Marshal 20 EC and Shobicron 425 EC on fall armyworm (FAW)
infesting BU Misti Vutta 1. Vvarietal comparisons among BU Misti Vutta 1, BARI
Hybrid Vutta 1, Mohona and Dola was also studied. BU Misti Vutta 1 showed very fast
developmental period compared to others. In Rabi season the lowest leaf infestation
(0.0±0.0%) at 100 DAS was observed in BU Misti Vutta 1. The highest cob length
(16.4±0.5 cm), cob diameter (4.0±0.1 cm), cob weight (196.6±22.1 g), grain
number/cob (537.2±32.1), yield (12.6±0.1 t/ha) were recorded in BU Misti Vutta 1. A
total of 26 insect species were identified belonging to 21 families of 8 orders. Highest
abundance (51.1±9.1), richness (7.8±4.3), dominance (1.0±0.1) and diversity (0.9±0.0)
were observed in Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Ephemeroptera and Diptera respectively.
The highest population of FAW (0.8±0.0 and 1.9±0.1) was observed in the mid April
for Kharif and January for Rabi season respectively. The maximum leaf infestation
(88.6±1.0% and 10.7±0.3%) was observed at 60 DAS in Kharif and Rabi season
respectively. The highest cob length (16.4±0.5cm), cob diameter (4.0±0.1 cm), cob
weight (196.6±22.1g), grain number/cob (537.2±32.1) and highest yield (12.7±0.1 t/ha
in Rabi and 6.2±0.2 t/ha in Kharif) were recorded in Shobicron 425 EC treated plot.
The lowest leaf infestation (23.1±3.2% and 0.2±0.2%) and cob infestation (40.0±4.1%
and 5.0±2.0%) was observed in Kharif and Rabi season respectively in Shobicron 425
EC treated plot. The lowest incidence of larva (0.0±0.0% in Rabi and 1.9±0.1% in
Kharif) was observed in Shobicron 425 EC treated plots. The lowest food consumption
(0.0±0.0), CI (0.1±0.01), AD (13.7±0.5), ECD (1.1±0.1) and ECI (3.9±0.1) was
recorded in Shobicron 425 EC treated larva. The highest larval mortality (100.0±0.0%)
was recorded in Shobicron 425 EC at 72 HAT.
... During the maize vegetative phase, constant feeding by the larvae results in skeletonized leaves and heavily windowed whorls loaded with larval frass. Infestations during the mid-to-late corn stage may result in yield losses of 15-73% when 55-100% of the plants are infested (Hruska and Gould, 1997). Nigeria appears at risk of suffering increased pest outbreaks given their environmental suitability for FAW, or the relative proportion of maize grown in suitable areas. ...
The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) invaded many parts of Nigeria including Edo State in 2016, causing substantial damage to maize. Since its observation in the State, no quantitative information on the pest is available. This study was therefore carried out to provide some baseline information on the abundance and infestation rate of FAW on maize in Edo State. Sampling for larval abundance and infestation level on maize farms was done in the early and late maize cropping season of 2019 in Edo South, Edo Central, and Edo North agro-ecological zones (AEZs) of the state. Data was analysed using one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Pearson correlation. Results showed that in the early season, mean larval abundance ranged from 5.83±3.76 in Edo Central to 8.25±3.45 in Edo South and mean percentage infestation ranged from 49.17±23.96% in Edo Central to 66.67±8.76% in Edo North while in the late maize cropping season, mean larval abundance and mean percentage infestation was 1.00±1.41 and 10.00±11.55% in Edo Central and 2.50±3.39 and 16.67±20.90% in Edo South respectively. These values were not significantly different (P˃0.05) in the three AEZs but were significantly different (P˂0.001) in the early and late cropping seasons. There was a positive correlation between larval abundance and percentage infestation. FAW was present wherever maize was grown in the three AEZs of the State, and infestations were more in the early season which is the main cropping season for maize in Edo State.
... It is a polyphagous, gregarious and disruptive pest that targets 353 plant species from 76 families, with Poaceae (106), Asteraceae (31) and Fabaceae (31) receiving the bulk of the attacks [15]. Spodoptera frugiperda infestations resulted in the yield losses of 15 to 73 per cent when 55 to 100 per cent of the plants were infested at various stages of development [16]. ...
A field experiment was conducted during rabi 2022 at Central Research Farm, SHUATS (Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences), Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh (India) using Randomized Block Design with eight treatments and replicated thrice. The Result showed that the effects of Insecticides against Spodoptera frugiperda, among the different treatments, Lowest larval population of maize fall army worm was recorded in Emamectin benzoate 5SG Original Research Article Panigrahi et al.; Int.
... The larva feeds on the leaves, stem, and reproductive parts of the maize plants . In Argentina, food security was threatened by the highest yield loss (72%), and a range of maize yield losses of 15-73% incurred of FAW was common case (Hruska and Gould, 1997). The management of this pest by any sole method is almost impossible. ...
Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda is an invasive and notorious pest of maize in many countries including Nepal. Several approaches of integrated management have been adopted for its control, chemical being the most popular choice in the farmers’ fields. Efficacy of such chemical pesticides for fall armyworm is interpreted as per the location, season, time and crops. In some cases, insect pests are always increasing the pesticide resistance. Hence to minimize the confusion of insecticide efficiency in various levels of understanding in the farmers’ level, field research was conducted in October 2021 to April, 2022. Seven different treatments (azadirachtin, chlorantraniliprole, emamectin benzoate, spinosad, spinetoram, imidacloprid and control) were tested in a four replicated RCBD design. Two sprays were made in twenty-days after seeding and fifteen-days after first spray in openfield condition. Minimum damage across various stages of maize plant was recorded inspinosad sprayed plots followed by spinetoram, chlorantraniliprole and emamectin benzoate, respectively. Maize yield was also recorded highest in spinosad and spinetoram sprayed plots. Highest score of damage was recorded in imidacloprid treated plots. This study further proved spinosad and spinetoram are the most popularly applied insecticides for the fall armyworm management.
... The damage caused to the maize crop by the S. fergipirda has been recorded at about 15-73%. (Hruska and Gould, 1997;Lima et al., 2010). Many generations of S. fergipirda in a year and temperature have a significant role in its development (Belay, 2011). ...
... Developing S. frugiperda control utilizing plant extracts and synthetic pesticides can synergize the toxicity of S. frugiperda larvae in Pakistan (Ahmed et al. 2022). The damage caused by S. frugiperda eaters to maize crops was enormous; losses of 73% in Latin America (Hruska and Gould 1997) and 21-53% in Africa (Makgoba et al. 2021) have been reported. S. frugiperda is a polyphagous pest of various crops (Montezano et al. 2018); however, it shows a preference for maize and sorghum, which are C4 crops, in contrast to C3 crops such as cotton or soybean (Hadke et al. 2015). ...
Sunari AAAAS, Supartha IW, Susila IW, Utama IWEK, Yasa IWS, Yudha IKW. 2023. Short Communication: Feeding trial, biological, and demographic parameters of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on several Graminae species (laboratory trial scale). Biodiversitas 24: 3325-3331. The fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda J.E Smith is a new pest that has entered Indonesia. The ability of the S. frugiperda pest adaptation to several types of graminae plants is important to determine the distribution of potential hosts in the field. The adaptability of S. frugiperda was observed from two parameters, namely biology, and demography, which were tested on three plant types of the Graminae family consisting of hybrida variety corn, Jatiluwih local rice, and sorghum. This research was conducted from May to November 2022 at the Integrated Pest and Disease Management Laboratory (IPMLab), Faculty of Agriculture, Udayana University. The observation was made on several bionomic and demographic parameters. Demographic parameters were determined by observing the gross reproduction rate (GRR), net reproductive rate (R0), intrinsic rate of increase (r), generation time (T), doubling time (DT), and observing the fecundity rate of S. frugiperda. The results showed that S. frugiperda biology was best in hybrid corn plants with a short duration of larval life. The survival chances were obtained from daily observations of S. frugiperda, which decreased on day 32 on hybrid corn and sorghum plants. On the other hand, on Jatiluwih local rice plants, imago's survival chance started to decrease at 34 days old. In observing demographic parameters, lower R0 and r values and higher T and DT values indicate that hybrid corn plants are the best for S. frugiperda to grow and develop.
... Although several biological control options are available (Abbas et al. 2022), chemical insecticides such as pyrethroids, carbamates, and organophosphates have been widely used to control insect pests (Hruska and Gould 1997). Spraying and sprinkling appear unsuccessful because larvae feed on plants at night, dawn, and dusk. ...
Fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda, is a serious invasive pest of many crops that causes huge economic losses to agricultural commodities. Insecticides are employed for the management of S. frugiperda. In this study, we investigated the impact of sublethal concentration (LC10) and low lethal concentration (LC30) of spinetoram and emamectin benzoate on S. frugiperda using two-sex life table method. Bioassay results revealed that emamectin benzoate exhibited more toxicity on the 3rd instar of S. frugiperda (LC50 8.35 × 10−4 mgL−1) than spinetoram (LC50 2.6 × 10−2 mgL−1) after 48 h exposure. The total longevity, adult pre-ovipositional period (APOP) and total pre-ovipositional period (TPOP) were prolonged, while pre-adult survival rate and fecundity were reduced at both concentrations of spinetoram and emamectin benzoate. Moreover, the key demographic parameters, including the intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ), and net reproductive rate (R0), were significantly lower in insecticide treated groups as compared to untreated insects. Our findings revealed that the sublethal and low lethal concentrations of both insecticides reduce the survival and reproductive capability of S. frugiperda. These results would be useful to assess the overall effect of both insecticides on S. frugiperda and can provide important implications for the rational utilization of insecticides against S. frugiperda.
... 62 Spodoptera frugiperda yield losses were highest in maize and reached 15-73%. 63 For densities of S. frugiperda in wheat, the recommended economic control threshold was 50-60 larvae per m 2 . 64 We found significant differences in KW between treatments in 2020 and 2021, with a 16.6% and 17.7% decrease, respectively, in plots at the greatest level of S. frugiperda larval infestation compared with plots having no larval infestation. ...
Background:
Spodoptera frugiperda is an invasive, widespread agricultural pest in China. However, there have been no reports assessing feeding damage on wheat caused by S. frugiperda. To clarify the fitness and potential damage of S. frugiperda to wheat, this study analyzed the population parameters of S. frugiperda fed on wheat in a laboratory and simulated the potential damage in field conditions.
Results:
The population parameters of S. frugiperda were compared using life tables on wheat at the seedling and adult plant stages. The adult female longevity of S. frugiperda varied from 12.29 days on seedling plants to 16.60 days on adult plants. Egg production was significantly higher when fed on wheat at the seedling stage (646.34 eggs) than when fed on adult plants (495.86 eggs). On wheat at the seedling and adult plant stages, the mean generation times were 35.42 and 38.34 days, respectively, and the intrinsic rates of increase were 0.15 and 0.14, respectively. Spodoptera frugiperda completed development and increased its population in wheat at both plant growth stages. In the field, the effect of different larval densities on the 1000-kernel weight of wheat was significantly different. An action threshold of 40 larvae per m2 was estimated, and the higher population densities caused a yield loss of 17.7%.
Conclusion:
Spodoptera frugiperda can complete its life cycle on wheat at different stages. Wheat can serve as an alternative host for S. frugiperda. If S. frugiperda reaches 320 larvae per m2 density during wheat growth, it will cause yield loss exceeding 17%. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
... This confirms the findings of Tepa-Yotto et al. (2021) who stated that FAW is the most damaging insect currently affecting maize crops in Africa and Asia. Fall armyworm (FAW) can cause yield losses ranging from 15% to 75% (Hruska & Gould, 1997). In addition, its larvae are very voracious and attack more than 80 crops of different species, although with a preference for maize (Prasanna et al., 2018). ...
In Benin, the Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith) causes severe damage to maize crop and threatens the food security of thousands of small farmers. The objectif of this study was to inventory local knowledge on the management of the Fall armyworm (FAW) by maize farmers in central Benin. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect information from 1885 maize farmers in six communes in central Benin. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, multivariate analysis and logistic regressions. Results showed that farmers consider FAW attacks as a major constraint to maize production. The common control method used by maize farmers is chemical control (90% of respondents) with synthetic products. Chemical families such as Pyrethroids, Avermectins, Neonicotinoids, Organophosphates are used. The farmers (4%) use organic products such as aqueous extracts of Azadirachta indica, Jatropha curcas and Carica papaya to control FAW. Certain farmers do not used any control method for FAW. Socioeconomic characteristics such as area planted, age, experience in maize production, farmer’s organization membership, level of education, gender, and income level of the farmer significantly determine (p < 0.05) the type of control method used against FAW. These factors should be taken into account by extension programs. Extension services can use farmers in these socio-economic categories as innovators to spread new and more effective control methods against Fall armyworm.
In 1978, 182 maize farmers, stratified in six farm size classes in four production regions, the Pacific North and Central and the Interior Central and South, which cover most of Nicaragua, were interviewed. Farm characteristics, physical inputs, credit, technical assistance, risk perception, pest recognition, cultural practices and chemical control have been analysed for differences between production regions and for trends according to farm size. Farmers consider drought and insect pests the main factors limiting maize production. About 80% of all applications are directed against the whorl-feeding larvae of Spodoptera frugiperda, which farmers correctly consider the main pest in maize. Most of these applications seem unnecessary. The expected effects of cultural practices, rainfall and lunar cycle on pest incidence have been analysed. Most of the traditional pest control methods used in Nicaragua proved to be very appropriate, indicating that such inventarizations and evaluations can be of great value.-from Authors
The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), attacks a wide variety of crops but tends to prefer gramineous plants. Most of the research on plant stress by this insect has focused on field corn, grain sorghum, and Bermuda grass. During vegetative plant growth stages, larvae primarily consume leaf mass which indirectly affects yield in grain crops by reducing photosynthetic leaf area. Injury of seedling plants also may damage or destroy meristematic tissue resulting in reduced plant stands or modified plant architecture. Forage crops and vegetative-stage grain crops can tolerate moderate to large levels of defoliation before significant yield loss occurs. The fall armyworm also will directly damage developing grain of corn and grain sorghum. Quantitative studies of plant stress have permitted the calculation of economic injury levels for Bermuda grass and whorl-stage corn and grain sorghum. Plant stress by the fall armyworm in other crops has received little attention. Research is needed to quantify crop response to fall armyworm injury where quantitative data are lacking and to provide additional data where quantitative results are available. This research should take an agronomic approach that includes detailed measurements of plant growth throughout the entire growing season. /// El gusano cogollero, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), ataca una gran variedad de cultivos pero tiende a preferir las gramíneas. La mayoría de las investigaciones en la estreunidad de las plantas por este insecto, se ha concentrado en el maíz, sorgo, y en la hierba Bermuda. Durante las etapas de crecimiento vegetativo de las plantas, las larvas consumen principalmente las hojas que indirectamente afectan el rendimiento de los cultivos de granos, reduciendo el área fotosintética de la hoja. El daño a plantas pequeñas tambieén ppdieran dañar o destruir tejidos meristemáticos, resultando en una reducida población de plantas o una modificación en la arquitectura de la planta. Cultivos de forraje y de granos en las etapas vegetativas pueden tolerar niveles de defoliación de moderados a grande, antes de que ocurran significantes pérdidas de rendimiento. El gusano cogollero tambien daña directamente los granos en desarrollo del maíz y del sorgo. Estudios cuantitativos sobre la estreunidad de las plantas ha permitido calcular los niveles de daños económicos en la hierba Bermuda en la etapa del verticilo del maíz y sorgo. La estreunidad de las plantas por el gusano cogollero en otros cultivos ha recibido poca atención. Se necesitan investigaciones para cuantificar la reacción a daños por el gusano cogollero cuando no hay datos cuantitativos y para proveer datos adicionales donde resultados cuantitativos están disponibles. Esta investigación debe tomar un enfoque agronómico que incluya medidas detalladas del crecimiento de las plantas a través de todo su período de crecimiento.
Response by sweet com, Zea mays, to fall armyworm feeding during three vegetative periods was studied three times during the 1988-1989 growing season near Belle Glade, Fla. Feeding damage by fall armyworm during the early and midwhorl stages (VI-V9) Significantly reduced plant height, stalk diameter, leaf area, and fresh and dry weight of aboveground portions of sweet com plants. Protecting plants from fall armyworm damage during the late whorl stage (V9-Rl) resulted in higher yields and reduced percentages of ears damaged by insects. Protecting the plants from fall armyworm damage during the midwhorl stage (V6-V9) was not as important as during the late whorl stage but was more important than during early whorl stage (VI-V6). Fall armyworm densities as low as 0.2-0.8 larvae per plant during the late whorl stage may be sufficient to reduce yields of U.S. No.1 ears by 5-20%.
The production of a second seasonal crop of corn is possible in south Georgia and probably across the gulf South with insecticidal protection of critical leaf stages of the whorl against larvae of Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith). Naturally established fall armyworm larvae were eliminated from a range of leaf stages of a dent or tropical flint corn variety with methomyl (1.46 kg of AI/ha), thus permitting the identification of those stages on which grain yields were most critically dependent. Grain yields of 65 + q/ha were achieved with methomyl applications at leaf stages 4 and 6 of 'Pioneer X304C,' leaf stages 4, 6, and 14 of 'Pioneer 3369A,' and methomyl (0.84 kg of AI/ha) protection of the ear stages of both varieties.