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Mitigating the impact of the invasive fall armyworm: evidence from South Asian farmers and policy recommendations
Abstract
Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is an invasive pest in South Asia. The current paper documents farmers’ perceptions of fall armyworm in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal and explores the current management practices adopted by farmers. A structured survey was conducted with 526 farmers regarding current cropping practices, identification of fall armyworm and its damage, management, capacity-building activities, and support from government and non-government extension services. The results suggested that most of the farmers reported very high to moderate damage from fall armyworm, and that the damage and spread increased over time. Although farmers used a range of management practices to control fall armyworm, chemical pesticides were still the dominant tool. Farmers learnt about the pest and its identification from their fellow farmers and individual experiences, while services from government and non-government offices were limited. Therefore, there is a need for an innovative extension approach, including the promotion of digital technologies. Similarly, the evaluation and promotion of new technologies as part of integrated pest management strategies (IPM) must be deployed to manage fall armyworm.
... Consequently, they had a better understanding of different maize pests. Farming experience usually enhances farmers' ability and performance in the field, which is mostly associated with higher crop productivity [33] Farmers generally seek information about farming practices and their management of FAW from various local sources, including fellow farmers [34]. However, these sources are not always authentic. ...
This study was carried out with the aim of understanding how farmers perceive and deal with fall armyworm (FAW) infestations in maize crops. Data based on a questionnaire were collected across nine districts of the Punjab province in Pakistan. Findings revealed that about 38% of farmers had medium-sized landholdings and had been cultivating maize crop for the last 11–20 years. Hybrid maize seed was used by 55% of the farmers, and 60% of the maize grown was used as fodder, as well as a cash crop. Surprisingly, only 39% of farmers were able to correctly identify FAW; however, the majority (72%) recognized the larvae as the most damaging stage. Although most of the farmers (71%) grew maize crops during both seasons, only 34% of the farmers recognized autumn as the peak infestation period of FAW. However, despite limited awareness, a high percentage (86%) of farmers managed FAW effectively using various chemical treatments. This study also highlighted the influence of some factors on farmers’ perception of FAW such as: age, farming experience, and maize cultivation practices. Overall, the findings emphasize the need for increased awareness of the basic biology and targeted management strategies for FAW to safeguard maize crops in the region.
... So, developing an integrated pest management program is crucial to maintain the diversity of beneficial arthropods. Currently, pesticides dominate as the sole pest management option in Pakistan (Khan et al. 2023). The current evidence indicates the presence and activity of biological control agents in maize grown in southern Punjab, Pakistan, which could be utilized towards developing integrated pest management programs to manage the fall armyworm and other lepidopteran pests of maize (Khan et al., 2021;Khan et al. 2021c). ...
The fall armyworm has emerged as a major invasive pest of maize in multiple regions of Africa and Asia, affecting the crop at different stages. Pesticides have been widely used to manage fall armyworm in maize; however, there is always a need to explore other management options, including biological control. The current study aimed to explore the occurrence of biological control agents in maize fields, along with the predatory activity of selected groups under lab conditions. For live observations of predatory arthropods in the field, weekly observations were made from five different maize fields located in Multan. For estimating predatory potential, selected groups of predators were collected using hand-picking methods and released in Petri dishes under laboratory conditions. Diversity indices, including Shannon’s and Simpson’s diversity indices, showed significant differences in predator diversity across various months and sites. The abundance of arthropod predators was significantly higher during September, October, March, and April. During fall 2022, spiders, red ants, and ladybird beetles showed higher abundance, followed by rove beetles and black ants. During spring 2023, spiders showed the highest mean abundance, followed by red ants, rove beetles, and ladybird beetles. The laboratory predation experiments showed ladybird beetles as effective predators against the 1st larval instar of fall armyworm, followed by spiders and black ants, respectively. Results of the current study will help identify beneficial insects providing natural control of fall armyworm.
https://www.authorea.com/users/495954/articles/1227710-fall-armyworm-marches-across-the-pacific
The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is an important insect pest of maize ( Zea mays L., Poaceae). The use of synthetic insecticides to control this pest remains the most popular option amongst growers. Natural insecticides offer a safer alternative to synthetic insecticides for controlling FAW. This study aimed to investigate the lethal and sublethal effects of a calcium carbonate formulation against this invasive insect pest. The tested formulation was a mixture of calcium carbonate (five concentrations), wetting agent and dispersant agent. Four experiments were conducted including a direct contact test, a no‐choice feeding test, a choice feeding test and an oviposition test. The application of the calcium carbonate formulation on maize leaves had a strong anti‐oviposition effect for adult female FAW, but a low‐to‐moderate antifeedant effect on FAW larvae. The growth and development of FAW larvae were only slightly affected by the calcium carbonate formulation in the feeding and the direct contact tests. The lethal effects of the calcium carbonate formulation against FAW larvae were low in direct contact and feeding tests. These results indicate that a calcium carbonate formulation has the potential to be used as the push component in a push–pull strategy for FAW control. Considering its low toxicity, both through direct contact and feeding, calcium carbonate can be an environmentally friendly alternative for the management of FAW.
Fall armyworm has emerged as a major pest of maize in Pakistan. Multiple fall armyworm management options exist, but their consequences for non-target arthropods in Pakistan have been under-reported. Keeping in view this gap, current experiments, using the randomized complete block design, compared the effectiveness of synthetic pesticides and biorational options (including dried plant powders and sand mixtures, and eucalyptus based biopesticides) on fall armyworm control, as well as their effects on non-target fauna. The results showed that fall armyworm damage was lowest in synthetic pesticide treatment, followed equally by eucalyptus-based biopesticide, sand mixtures of neem, red pepper, ash and turmeric, while the highest damage was recorded where no management was done. For the occurrence of the non-target arthropods during live observations, ants and whiteflies were significantly higher as compared to other groups. Overall, live observations showed higher arthropod abundance in biorational treatments as compared to synthetic insecticide treatment. The pitfall trapping differences showed significant differences in the insect orders captured. Moreover, the maize yield at the end of the trial was higher in synthetic pesticide treatments (field recommended doses) as compared to the plots managed using biorational approaches. Among biorational options, the yield of sand and mango wood ash mix showed a higher yield. The current evidence is useful for integrating biorational options into fall armyworm management, especially for smallholders.
The global agriculture often faces new threats from invasive alien insect
pests, pathogens, weeds etc requiring immediate attention and co-operative action to manage the pestilence. In this regard, the fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda is a notorious pestiferous pest with high dispersal ability, wide host range, high fecundity makes the fall armyworm one of the most severe economic pests. FAW has been restricted to the Americas and recently in 2016 reported from various countries in Africa, posing a serious challenge of sustainability in Sub-Saharan African countries. Herewith we report the occurrence of the FAW on maize in various districts of Karnataka state, India. Identification of FAW has been carried out employing morphological and DNA barcoding. Phylogenetic analysis has revealed that FAW clustered with Florida (rice strain), Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda on maize. India predominantly being a tropical country favours high rate of multiplication round the year and its high pestiferous nature attributes a formidable challenge to Indian agriculture warranting immediate action before it assumes a pandemic proportion.
The fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda is thought to have undergone a rapid ‘west-to-east’ spread since 2016 when it was first identified in western Africa. Between 2018 and 2020, it was recorded from South Asia (SA), Southeast Asia (SEA), East Asia (EA), and Pacific/Australia (PA). Population genomic analyses enabled the understanding of pathways, population sources, and gene flow in this notorious agricultural pest species. Using neutral single nucleotide polymorphic (SNP) DNA markers, we detected genome introgression that suggested most populations in this study were overwhelmingly C- and R-strain hybrids (n = 252/262). SNP and mitochondrial DNA markers identified multiple introductions that were most parsimoniously explained by anthropogenic-assisted spread, i.e., associated with international trade of live/fresh plants and plant products, and involved ‘bridgehead populations’ in countries to enable successful pest establishment in neighbouring countries. Distinct population genomic signatures between Myanmar and China do not support the ‘African origin spread’ nor the ‘Myanmar source population to China’ hypotheses. Significant genetic differentiation between populations from different Australian states supported multiple pathways involving distinct SEA populations. Our study identified Asia as a biosecurity hotspot and a FAW genetic melting pot, and demonstrated the use of genome analysis to disentangle preventable human-assisted pest introductions from unpreventable natural pest spread.
The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae), is a well-known agricultural pest in its native range, North and South America, and has become a major invasive pest around the globe in the past decade. In this review, we provide an overview to update what is known about S. frugiperda in its native geographic ranges. This is followed by discussion of studies from the invaded areas to gain insights into S. frugiperda’s ecology, specifically its reproductive biology, host plant use, status of insecticide resistance alleles, and biocontrol methods in native and invasive regions. We show that reference to host strains is uninformative in the invasive populations because multidirectional introduction events likely underpinned its recent rapid spread. Given that recent genomic analyses show that FAW is much more diverse than was previously assumed, and natural selection forces likely differ geographically, region-specific approaches will be needed to control this global pest.
Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Entomology, Volume 68 is January 2023. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
Key message:
Sustainable control of fall armyworm (FAW) requires implementation of effective integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, with host plant resistance as a key component. Significant opportunities exist for developing and deploying elite maize cultivars with native genetic resistance and/or transgenic resistance for FAW control in both Africa and Asia. The fall armyworm [Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith); FAW] has emerged as a serious pest since 2016 in Africa, and since 2018 in Asia, affecting the food security and livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers, especially those growing maize. Sustainable control of FAW requires implementation of integrated pest management strategies, in which host plant resistance is one of the key components. Significant strides have been made in breeding elite maize lines and hybrids with native genetic resistance to FAW in Africa, based on the strong foundation of insect-resistant tropical germplasm developed at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, Mexico. These efforts are further intensified to develop and deploy elite maize cultivars with native FAW tolerance/resistance and farmer-preferred traits suitable for diverse agro-ecologies in Africa and Asia. Independently, genetically modified Bt maize with resistance to FAW is already commercialized in South Africa, and in a few countries in Asia (Philippines and Vietnam), while efforts are being made to commercialize Bt maize events in additional countries in both Africa and Asia. In countries where Bt maize is commercialized, it is important to implement a robust insect resistance management strategy. Combinations of native genetic resistance and Bt maize also need to be explored as a path to more effective and sustainable host plant resistance options. We also highlight the critical gaps and priorities for host plant resistance research and development in maize, particularly in the context of sustainable FAW management in Africa and Asia.
Integrated pest management adoption is quite low around the globe, particularly in developing countries, due to different factors. Here, we examine the factors affecting the intention of Pakistani farmers to adopt integrated pest management practices in vegetable production using a structured questionnaire. We interviewed 301 vegetable growers in Multan, Pakistan. The reliability and validity of the data, along with the underlying relationship between the observed variables, were identified through exploratory factor analysis. The majority of the farmers (79.4%) relied on pesticides for pest control. More than four out of 10 of the respondents (43.8%) reported that okra received the highest application of pesticides followed by potato (24.5%) and cauliflower (17.9%). Integrated pest management was currently non-existent among the vegetable growers of the study area. The latent factors-"knowledge of the adverse effects of pesticide," "belief in the efficacy of non-chemical pest control measures," "perceived barriers to the adoption of integrated pest management," "progressive farming approach," and "intention to adopt integrated pest management"-were subsequently confirmed using confirmatory factor analysis. The structural equation model suggested that the intention to adopt integrated pest management is significantly affected by farmers' knowledge of the adverse effects of pesticides (b = 0.274, z-value = 3.082, P = 0.002). An increase in farmers' awareness of the harmful effects of pesticides could lead to integrated pest management adoption for pest control. The scale for intention to adopt integrated pest management developed in this study can be used in future studies and provide valuable insights to the policymakers for devising integrated pest management adoption campaigns in the study area.
Integrated pest management adoption is quite low around the globe, particularly in developing countries, due to different factors. Here, we examine the factors affecting the intention of Pakistani farmers to adopt integrated pest management practices in vegetable production using a structured questionnaire. We interviewed 301 vegetable growers in Multan, Pakistan. The reliability and validity of the data, along with the underlying relationship between the observed variables, were identified through exploratory factor analysis. The majority of the farmers (79.4%) relied on pesticides for pest control. More than four out of 10 of the respondents (43.8%) reported that okra received the highest application of pesticides followed by potato (24.5%) and cauliflower (17.9%). Integrated pest management was currently non-existent among the vegetable growers of the study area. The latent factors-"knowledge of the adverse effects of pesticide," "belief in the efficacy of non-chemical pest control measures," "perceived barriers to the adoption of integrated pest management," "progressive farming approach," and "intention to adopt integrated pest management"-were subsequently confirmed using confirmatory factor analysis. The structural equation model suggested that the intention to adopt integrated pest management is significantly affected by farmers' knowledge of the adverse effects of pesticides (b = 0.274, z-value = 3.082, P = 0.002). An increase in farmers' awareness of the harmful effects of pesticides could lead to integrated pest management adoption for pest control. The scale for intention to adopt integrated pest management developed in this study can be used in future studies and provide valuable insights to the policymakers for devising integrated pest management adoption campaigns in the study area.
The strategies for controlling the insect pest Spodoptera frugiperda have been developing over the past four decades; however, the insecticide resistance and the remarkable adaptability of this insect have hindered its success. This review first analyzes the different chemical compounds currently available and the most promising options to control S. frugiperda. Then, we analyze the metabolites obtained from plant extracts with antifeedant, repellent, insecticide, or ovicide effects that could be environmentally friendly options for developing botanical S. frugiperda insecticides. Subsequently, we analyze the biological control based on the use of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasitoids against this pest. Finally, the use of sex pheromones to monitor this pest is analyzed. The advances reviewed could provide a wide panorama to guide the search for new pesticidal strategies but focused on environmental sustainability against S. frugiperda.
Simple Summary
The moth larvae are among the most damaging pest species on crops worldwide. In this review, we focus on the genus Spodoptera, which can feed on many crops such as rice, cotton or corn. The massive use of insecticides to control these insects has led to the development of resistance. Here, we aim to compare the resistance mechanisms of four species (Spodoptera exigua, Spodoptera frugiperda, Spodoptera littoralis and Spodoptera litura) and highlight the role of enzymes and transporters in resistance to help us understand the molecular basis of their origin.
Abstract
The genus Spodoptera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) includes species that are among the most important crop pests in the world. These polyphagous species are able to feed on many plants, including corn, rice and cotton. In addition to their ability to adapt to toxic compounds produced by plants, they have developed resistance to the chemical insecticides used for their control. One of the main mechanisms developed by insects to become resistant involves detoxification enzymes. In this review, we illustrate some examples of the role of major families of detoxification enzymes such as cytochromes P450, carboxyl/cholinesterases, glutathione S-transferases (GST) and transporters such as ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters in insecticide resistance. We compare available data for four species, Spodoptera exigua, S. frugiperda, S. littoralis and S. litura. Molecular mechanisms underlying the involvement of these genes in resistance will be described, including the duplication of the CYP9A cluster, over-expression of GST epsilon or point mutations in acetylcholinesterase and ABCC2. This review is not intended to be exhaustive but to highlight the key roles of certain genes.
The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), spread rapidly in Africa and Asia recently, causing huge economic losses in crop production. Fall armyworm caterpillars were first detected in South Korea and Japan in June 2019. Here, the migration timing and path for FAW into the countries were estimated by a trajectory simulation approach implementing the insect's flight behavior. The result showed that FAWs found in both South Korea and Japan were estimated to have come from eastern China by crossing the Yellow Sea or the East China Sea in 10–36 h in three series of migrations. In the first series, FAW moths that arrived in Jeju Island during 22–24 May were estimated to be from Zhejiang, Anhui and Fujian Provinces after 1–2 nights’ flights. In the second series, it was estimated that FAW moths landed in southern Korea and Kyushu region of Japan simultaneously or successively during 5–9 June, and these moths mostly came from Guangdong and Fujian Provinces. The FAW moths in the third series were estimated to have immigrated from Taiwan Province into Okinawa Islands during 19–24 June. During these migrations, southwesterly low-level jets extending from eastern China to southern Korea and/or Japan were observed in the northwestern periphery of the western Pacific Subtropical High. These results, for the first time, suggested that the overseas FAW immigrants invading Korea and Japan came from eastern and southern China. This study is helpful for future monitoring, early warning and the source controlling of this pest in the two countries.
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BACKGROUND
The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith), is a pest of many economically essential crops across several continents. Documentation of resistance to Bt toxins has caused growing concern in agricultural communities regarding the ability to keep fall armyworm populations below economic thresholds. The existence of two host strains referred to as the ‘rice’ and ‘corn’ strains is a complicating and under‐researched factor of fall armyworm biology and management. It is essential to characterize the differences between the host strains, as well as their rice/corn hybrid offspring, to elucidate their contributions to field‐evolved resistance.
RESULTS
Corn was a preferred oviposition host for both rice and corn strain fall armyworm, and a suitable larval host plant for each of the four populations tested. Corn strain females displayed a significant preference towards oviposition on plants that lacked mechanical damage. The rice strain population was generally less tolerant to Cry1F corn tissue than the corn strain and hybrid populations, which performed in a similar way to one another.
CONCLUSION
The preference for corn as an ovipositional host may have an impact on resistance management when coupled with differential host strain Bt tolerances, though more studies are needed. Hybrid tolerance to Bt toxins could possibly contribute to the evolution of Bt resistance. This is the first study to compare the larval fitness and survival of rice/corn hybrid fall armyworm to that of pure host strains using a tissue‐based approach.
Since 2016, the invasive fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, has been one of the most rapidly spreading and highly devastating maize pests across Africa and Asia. Although several studies have estimated the effect of FAW on maize yield, little is known about its impact on broader welfare outcomes. Using data from smallholder maize‐growing households in Zimbabwe, this article aimed to measure the impact of FAW on household income and food security, as well as the extent to which the adoption of a control strategy can help mitigate the negative welfare impacts due to FAW invasion. Regression results showed that households affected by FAW were 12% more likely to experience hunger, as measured by the household hunger scale. A disaggregated analysis indicated that minor FAW infestation did not exert significant impacts on incomes and food security, but severe level of infestation reduced per capita household income by 44% and increased a household's likelihood of experiencing hunger by 17%. We also found that compared to unaffected households, the FAW‐affected households who failed to implement a control strategy had a 50% lower per capita household income, while their counterparts that implemented a control strategy did not suffer a significant income loss. These findings point to the need to promote strategies to prevent high infestation levels of FAW so as to mitigate its detrimental welfare effects. The impact of fall armyworm invasion on smallholder welfare is estimated. Farm households affected by fall armyworm are 12% more likely to experience hunger. Sustainable and safe fall armyworm control strategies are required.
Farmers work under challenging situations of crop failure due to unpredictable weather, poor access to quality inputs, lack of knowledge of modern technologies, etc. Many of the problems can be resolved if farmers are supported by timely information service network which proactively articulate their daily problems. The predominant source of information to farmers in India is through the extension services supported by traditional form of information and communication technologies (ICT) like television, radio, newspapers, etc. With increasing globalization and commercialization, and climate changes resulting from global warming have all led to a change in farmers’ need for new technology and knowledge. Consequently, extension services have to be fine-tuned to meet the changing requirements. In recent years, with mobile revolution and increased tele-density especially in rural areas, and as a result mobile-based agro-advisory models have proven to be a successful way for delivering information. This can complement the role of existing extension services and help to improve the penetration of extension to the last mile.
This paper will help suggest a way forward in terms of design and implementation of ICT initiatives to ensure that they meet farmers’ expectations and needs so that the risk can be managed better. In this background, this chapter highlights the evolution of various existing ICT models in India. It presents the case study of IKSL (Indian Farmers Fertilizers Co-operative [IFFCO] Kisan Sanchar Limited) model and how it was integrated with CIMMYT model. The chapter also presents in detail the lessons learnt, constraints and challenges faced, and way forward to handle these challenges and constraints.
Fall armyworm [Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith); FAW] invasion has exacerbated maize (Zea mays L.) crop yield losses in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA), already threatened by other stresses, especially those that are climate‐change induced. The FAW is difficult to control, manage, or eradicate, because it is polyphagous and trans‐boundary, multiplies fast, has a short life cycle and migrates easily, and lacks the diapause growth phase. In this study, FAW and its impact in Africa was reviewed, as well as past and present control strategies for this pest. Pesticides, cultural practices, natural enemies, host‐plant resistance, integrated pest management (IPM), and plant breeding approaches were examined as possible control strategies. It was concluded that an IPM control strategy, guided by cultural approaches already being used by farmers, and what can be adopted from the Americas, coupled with an insect‐resistance management strategy, is the best option to manage this pest in Africa. These strategies will be strengthened by breeding for multi‐trait host‐plant resistance through stacking of genes for different modes of control of the pest.
Improving smallholder vegetable farms are critical for improving food security and livelihoods of people in low-income countries. Vegetable production is labor intensive and prone to pests and diseases. Conservation agriculture (CA) and integrated pest management (IPM) practices provide options to increase yields and minimize the use of chemical pesticides. We compared integration of CA and IPM practices (improved alternative system) with farmers’ traditional practice (conventional system) under replicated on-farm tests in four different locations (Lalitpur, Banke, Surkhet, and Dadeldhura) in Nepal. Data on yield, benefit–cost ratio (B:C), labor requirement, insect and disease infestation, and pesticide sprays on five major vegetable crops (tomato, cucumber, bitter gourd, cabbage, cauliflower) were measured. In tomatoes, cucumbers, and bitter gourds, the improved alternative system produced a significantly higher yield, greater benefit-cost ratio, reduced labor, decreased the infestation of pests and diseases, and required fewer pesticidal sprays. Average yield and net income were superior in cabbages and cauliflowers, but nonsignificant. Improved alternative system for all the vegetables were sprayed significantly fewer times than the conventional system. Overall, the improved alternative system for vegetable crops contributed not only to the improved income and livelihoods of people, but also can improve environment and human health due to the reduced use of pesticides. Further research on scaling these improved alternative practices through appropriate farmer organizations, and government and non-government actors can enhance the adoption of CA and IPM practices by smallholder vegetable producers.
The fall army worm Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a destructive invasive insect pest of cereal crops native to American continent. It is a polyphagous insect with host range of more than 353 plant species and maize is a preferred host. This pest is a strong flier and can fly up to 500 km before oviposition. Present study reports S. frugiperda as a first record from Nepal (Nawalpur district) observed in May 2019 along with its morphological and molecular diagnosis.
Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is in the state of major threat for Nepal especially in maize although it has more than 80 host to continue its life cycle. After its first incidence in Africa in 2016, it has already spread in more than 100 countries within a short period of time. It was seen in India for the first time in 2018. Due to the open border between Nepal and India, there is high probability of incidence of pest in Nepal. The temperature regime of Nepal is highly suitable for the pest establishment. Now is the time to think about the pest which can cause severe damage to the second most produced cereal crop of Nepal i.e. maize. Management of the pest is possible through many biological, chemical and cultural means. Planting of legumes as a trap crop and ploughing field properly before planting the field can be a best possible cultural method of managing the pest. Natural enemies like Telenomus, Trichogramma chilotraeae for controlling the eggs, Bacillus thuringiensis for larvae and Brachymeria ovata for pupa of Fall Armyworm in Maize and Vegetables. Similarly, Neem extracts are found be larvicidal and the oil extracted from the seeds of long pepper are found to be checking Spermatogenesis of the pest. Chemicals like Methomyl, Cyfluthrin, Methyl parathion are used tocontrol the pest. Use of chemicals at the initiation of the pest spread is discouraged as it can hamper the natural enemy present in the surrounding ecology. However, the use of pesticides can be done below the economic threshold level so that the pest does not develop any resistance towards the chemicals.
A recent outbreak of FAW (Spodoptera frugiperda) caused a substantial yield loss in corn was recorded in Sri Lanka especially from Uva, Eastern and North Central provinces. This was first reported in Sri Lanka in August 2018 and over the last six months, the livelihood of the majority of small-scale farming families was greatly affected. National mobilization of resources, agriculture related institutions together with university academia actively participated with the government campaign of combating the pest and improving the livelihood of affected people all over the country. The effort of this short communication is to describe the magnitude of FAW infestation, its implications in Ratnapura District, Sri Lanka and the contribution of the inter-institutional support towards the sustainable management of the Fall ArmyWorm epidemic in Sri Lanka. Amount of land extent used for corn cultivation in Ratnapura district was estimated as 292.65ha, while 32.95 ha were infected with the pest (11.3%). Highest provincial land extent use for corn in Sri Lanka was Uva province where considerable pest damage has been reported. In Uva, total 42436.7 ha were cultivated in maha season where 30998.3 ha has infected and destroyed (73%). Even though corn was cultivated in lower land extent in Ratnapura, effective and organized disaster management response in Ratnapura was able to minimize the pest impact to 11.3% from total losses.
BACKGROUND
This paper documents farmer perceptions and management practices for fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiderda J.E. Smith), providing a baseline for the development of sustainable pest management strategies.
RESULTS
91% of farmers correctly identified fall armyworm, and reported it as the most important maize pest during 2016/2017 cropping season, affecting nearly half of cultivated area. Estimated maize yield loss during the season, attributed to fall armyworm was 28%. A majority of farmers (60%) used pesticides for fall armyworm control, along with other cultural/physical practices – hand picking and crushing egg masses/caterpillars (36%), and application of ash/sand in the funnel (19%). Farmers used various pesticide active ingredients, and protective measures were inadequate; >50% of farmers did not use any protective measures while spraying. Significantly more male than female farmers used pesticides (P = 0.05), and the reverse was true for cultural practices. Significant maize yield differences (P = 0.001) were observed by gender, attributed to differences in utilization of production inputs/practices. At least 77% of farmers received and shared agricultural advice, which can be optimized to spread information on fall armyworm management options.
CONCLUSION
Increased use of pesticides to manage fall armyworm poses health and environmental risks, besides the high cost for farmers and governments. Research into cultural and indigenous practices used by farmers will offer opportunities for alternative and sustainable management practices. Research efforts should pay attention to gender differences in access to resources and inputs. Tackling fall armyworm at the farm level, and averting yield losses will require integrated messaging addressing other production risks. © 2019 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J E Smith), an economically important pest native to tropical and sub-tropical America has recently invaded Africa, causing substantial damage to maize and other crops. We evaluated functionality of a companion cropping system, ‘climate-adapted push-pull’, developed for control of cereal stemborers in drier agro-ecologies, as an added tool for the management of fall armyworm. The technology comprises intercropping maize with drought-tolerant greenleaf desmodium, Desmodium intortum (Mill.) Urb., and planting Brachiaria cv Mulato II as a border crop around this intercrop. Protection to maize is provided by semiochemicals that are emitted by the intercrop that repel (push) stemborer moths while those released by the border crop attract (pull) them. 250 farmers who had adopted the technology in drier areas of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania were randomly selected for the study during the long rainy season (March-August) of 2017. Each farmer had a set of two plots, a climate-adapted push–pull and a maize monocrop. Data were collected in each plot on the number of fall armyworm larvae on maize, percentage of maize plants damaged by the larvae and maize grain yields. Similarly, farmers' perceptions of the impact of the technology on the pest were assessed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Reductions of 82.7% in average number of larvae per plant and 86.7% in plant damage per plot were observed in climate-adapted push-pull compared to maize monocrop plots. Similarly, maize grain yields were significantly higher, 2.7 times, in the climate-adapted push-pull plots. Farmers rated the technology significantly superior in reducing fall armyworm infestation and plant damage rates. These results demonstrate that the technology is effective in controlling fall armyworm with concomitant maize grain yield increases, and represent the first documentation of a technology that can be immediately deployed for management of the pest in East Africa and beyond.
This paper reports for the first time on farmers’ knowledge, perceptions and management practices of the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in Ethiopia and Kenya. A survey of 343 smallholder maize farmers was conducted. Most farmers in Ethiopia and Kenya had knowledge about fall armyworm; they could identify it mainly during its larval stage. Furthermore, most farmers in Ethiopia (93%) and Kenya (97%) encountered damage by fall armyworm in their farms. They estimated an average of 32% crop damage in Ethiopia and 47.3% of crop damage in Kenya, with an estimated yield reduction between 0.8 to 1 tonnes/ha. Nearly half of the farmers relied on chemical insecticides to control this pest. The majority (60%) of the farmers in Kenya perceived that insecticides were not effective in controlling fall armyworm as compared to most farmers (46%) in Ethiopia who perceived that chemical spray is effective for the control of fall armyworm. In Ethiopia, 26% of the farmers combined handpicking larvae with insecticide sprays, whilst 15% of the farmers practiced only handpicking. The present study highlights the need to develop management strategies for fall armyworm based on farmers’ needs and priorities.
The fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda is a prime noctuid pest of maize on the American continents where it has remained confined despite occasional interceptions by European quarantine services in recent years. The pest has currently become a new invasive species in West and Central Africa where outbreaks were recorded for the first time in early 2016. The presence of at least two distinct haplotypes within samples collected on maize in Nige-ria and São Tomé suggests multiple introductions into the African continent. Implications of this new threat to the maize crop in tropical Africa are briefly discussed.
The introduction of fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on the African continent has led to paradigm shifts in pest control in maize systems, occasioned by year-round populations. The discovery of resident parasitoid species adapting to the new pest significantly informed decision making towards avoiding highly hazardous synthetic insecticides to control the pest. A number of biopesticides have shown promise against the fall armyworm, providing a new arsenal for the sustainable management of this invasive pest. However, a few knowledge gaps remain for a fully integrated and sustainable FAW management approach particularly on host resistance potential.
The occurrence and abundance of predatory fauna in turfgrass systems have been reported; however, the activity of predators has rarely been described. The fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a major pest of turfgrass in the United States for which arthropod predation is not considered a key pest management option, but the role of predation on S. frugiperda has not been assessed in turfgrass systems, which are managed at varying intensities. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine (1) the incidence and (2) the severity of predation in less intensively managed residential lawns and intensively managed sod farms. The percentage of predation on live S. frugiperda sentinel larvae and the percentage of predation and its severity on clay models were significantly greater in the residential lawns than in the sod farms. Among the seven impression types recorded on clay models, paired marks were the most abundant. Four new impression types, deep cut marks, stacked surface marks, scooped marks, and U-shaped marks, were observed on clay models in both turfgrass systems. Formicids were documented at significantly greater densities than were other predatory groups, such as carabids. Thus, the results show the need for enhanced predatory activity in sod farms by developing integrated pest management strategies and adopting measures to conserve natural enemies.
The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), is an agricultural pest of tropical-subtropical origin in the Western Hemisphere. Since it lacks any diapause mechanisms, it only can overwinter in the mild climates of south Florida and Texas; annually it reinvades much of the continental U.S. and southern Canada. Although its larvae feed on a variety of plants, corn, peanuts, sorghum, and Bermudagrass are favored hosts. The FAW adult is nocturnal in its feeding and mating activities; females may mate several times and use pheromones to attract males. Larvae normally complete 6 instars and pupate in the soil.