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Fall Armyworm Marches Across the Pacific

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Sulav Paudel at AgResearch
Sulav Paudel
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Posted on 25 Sep 2024 — The copyright holder is the author/funder. All rights reserved. No reuse without permission. — https://doi.org/10.22541/au.172729922.21435608/v1 — This is a preprint and has not been peer-reviewed. Data may be preliminary.
Fall Armyworm Marches Across the Pacific
Sulav Paudel1
1Affiliation not available
September 25, 2024
Sulav Paudel
AgResearch, 19 Ellesmere Junction Road, Lincoln 7608, Private Bag 4749, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand
sulav. paudel@ agresearch. co. nz
The Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda: FAW), a highly adaptable and destructive pest native to
the Americas, has significantly expanded its territory over the past decade, posing a formidable threat to
agricultural ecosystems. First detected in Africa in 2016, FAW reached Australia and Papua New Guinea in
2020, quickly spreading to Timor-Leste, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, New Zealand, and most recently,
Vanuatu (June 2023). The pest feeds on crops like maize, rice, and vegetables, causing potential losses of
up to 100% (Fig 1). With agriculture underpinning Pacific economies, FAW directly threatens food security
and the livelihoods of farmers and communities.
Figure 1: Fall armyworm attacking a maize crop near Port Vila, Efate, Vanuatu (17.779°S, 168.431°E).
Photo taken during a field trip in October 2023.
1
Posted on 25 Sep 2024 — The copyright holder is the author/funder. All rights reserved. No reuse without permission. — https://doi.org/10.22541/au.172729922.21435608/v1 — This is a preprint and has not been peer-reviewed. Data may be preliminary.
Global entities like the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) are taking initiative and playing a critical
role in knowledge sharing, resource mobilization, and technical assistance (Fig 2). A Regional Training
workshop on Prevention, Preparedness, and Integrated pest management (IPM) of FAW in the Pacific Islands
was organized in Honiara, Solomon Islands from 11 to 15 Dec 2023. The main objectives were to strengthen
the capacity of regional and local agriculture officials and stakeholders on the use of FAW Monitoring and
Early Warning System (FAMEWS) tool and sustainable management of the pest in the Pacific Islands. A
field visit to an integrated pest management (IPM) trial in Guadalcanal plains also took place to give the
participants hands-on experience on some of the management options. Participants were from countries like
Australia, Samoa, Vanuatu, Fiji, and Solomon Islands.
Countries like Fiji and Samoa, though not yet directly affected, are learning and taking proactive measu-
res. Early detection, robust biosecurity, farmer awareness, and IPM practices are key components of their
biosecurity and management strategy.
The battle against FAW is long and challenging, but collective action, preparedness, and innovative solutions
offer hope. By working together, sharing resources, and investing in research, Pacific Islands can stand strong
against this hungry invader and build a sustainable future where food security and livelihoods remain secure.
Figure 2: Group photo from the Regional Workshop Training on Prevention, Preparedness and Sustainable
Management of Fall Armyworm in the Pacific Islands (Picture courtesy: FAO)
References
Goergen, G., Meagher, R. L., Nagoshi, R. N., & Van den Berg, J. (2023). Invasiveness, biology, ecology,
and management of the fall armyworm,Spodoptera frugiperda .Entomologia Generalis, 43 (2), 187-241.
https://doi.org/10.1127/entomologia/2022/1659
Khan, F. Z., Paudel, S., Saeed, S., Ali, M., Hussain, S. B., Ranamukhaarachchi, S. L., . . . &
Manzoor, S. A. (2023). Mitigating the impact of the invasive fall armyworm: evidence from
South Asian farmers and policy recommendations. International Journal of Pest Management , 1-9.
https://doi.org/10.1080/09670874.2023.2205834
Qi, G. J., Ma, J., Wan, J., Ren, Y. L., McKirdy, S., Hu, G., & Zhang, Z. F. (2021). Source regions of the first
immigration of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) invading Australia. Insects
,12 (12), 1104.
Tay, W. T., Kuniata, L., James, W., & Walsh, T. (2023). Confirmation of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepi-
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vasions Records ,12 (1), 103-116.
2
ResearchGate has not been able to resolve any citations for this publication.
Invasiveness, biology, ecology, and management of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda
Article
Full-text available
  • Jun 2023
  • ENTOMOL GEN
The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith, 1797), is a serious pest of several crops, particularly maize and other cereals. It has long been known as a pest in the Americas and has invaded most of Africa and parts of the Middle East, Asia, and Australia in the last six years. Its new status as an invasive species causing serious damage in many regions worldwide has highlighted the need for better understanding and has generated much research. In this article, we provide a comprehensive review of FAW covering its (i) taxonomy, biology, ecology, genomics, and microbiome, (ii) worldwide status and geographic spread, (iii) potential for geographic expansion and quarantine measures in place, and (iv) management including monitoring, sampling, forecasting, biological control, biopesticides, agroecological strategies, chemical control, insecticide resistance, effects of insecticides on natural enemies, as well as conventional and transgenic resistant cultivars. We conclude with recommendations for research to enhance the sustainable management of FAW in invaded regions.
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Mitigating the impact of the invasive fall armyworm: evidence from South Asian farmers and policy recommendations
Article
  • Apr 2023
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.
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Source regions of the first immigration of fall armyworm
  • Jan 2021
  • 1104
  • G J Qi
  • J Ma
  • J Wan
  • Y L Ren
  • S Mckirdy
  • G Hu
  • Z F Zhang
Qi, G. J., Ma, J., Wan, J., Ren, Y. L., McKirdy, S., Hu, G., & Zhang, Z. F. (2021). Source regions of the first immigration of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) invading Australia. Insects , 12 (12), 1104.