Threats of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) incidence in Nepal and it’s integrated management-A review

Abstract

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.

Integrated Management of Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera Frugiperda) in Maize Crop

“…See as we already know that these pests do have a lot of natural enemies on them either in nature so or which is artificially produced or released in the field are going to suppress the pest population. These natural enemies may be there may be predators or parasitoids or even the microbialpathogens are going to suppress the pest very effectively (Bhusal, et al, 2020). Ground beetles, striped earwig (Labidura riparia), spined soldier bug (Podisus maculiventris) and insidious flower bug (Orius insidiosus) are the predators which are attacks on eggs and larvae of fall armyworm.…”

Integrated pest management of fall armyworm infestations in maize fields in Nepal: A review

“…Maize is widely cultivated in Nepal and ranks second in term of production this additionally adds the chance of fall armyworm spread. Crops like sorghum, millet, sugarcane, cotton and other cereal crops are mainly cultivated in Nepal and these crops attract this voracious pest in absence of maize as host (Bhusal and Chapagain, 2020). The larvae consume almost all the vegetation in their path and the major damage is due to the feeding on the foliage (Bista et al, 2020).…”

Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda): A threat in crop production in Africa and Asia

“…The males have the body length of 1.6 cm and 3.7 cm wingspan. The male forewing is mottled with a discal cell having straw color on three quarters and dark brown on one quarter of the area having triangular white spots at the tip and near the middle of the wing (Bhushal & Chapagain, 2020). The females forewing are less distinctly marked, ranging from a uniform greyish brown to a little grey brown mottling.…”

“…Larvae are voracious feeders and feed whorls of young leaves, ears and tassels, depending on the growth stages, causing a huge damage to the host (Sarmento et al, 2002). When the larval population rises; they defoliate every plant that comes on their way (Bhushal & Chapagain, 2020). Typical damage signs of FAW larvae are the presence of holes in the maize leaves due to the feeding of epidermal tissues (Sisay et al, 2019).…”