Viruses of the Fall Armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda: A Review with Prospects for Biological Control

Abstract

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, is a native pest species in the Western hemisphere. Since it was first reported in Africa in 2016, FAW has spread throughout the African continent and is now also present in several countries in Asia as well as Australia. The invasion of FAW in these areas has led to a high yield reduction in crops, leading to huge economic losses. FAW management options in the newly invaded areas are limited and mainly rely on the use of synthetic pesticides. Since there is a risk of resistance development against pesticides in addition to the negative environmental and human health impacts, other effective, sustainable, and cost-efficient control alternatives are desired. Insect pathogenic viruses fulfil these criteria as they are usually effective and highly host-specific with no significant harmful effect on beneficial insects and non-target organisms. In this review, we discuss all viruses known from FAW and their potential to be used for biological control. We specifically focus on baculoviruses and describe the recent advancements in the use of baculoviruses for biological control in the native geographic origin of FAW, and their potential use in the newly invaded areas. Finally, we identify current knowledge gaps and suggest new avenues for productive research on the use of viruses as a biopesticide against FAW.

Invasiveness, biology, ecology, and management of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda

“…It is likely that SfMNPV-based insecticides could soon be available in China, given the history of use of baculoviruses for pest control in that country (Sun 2015). These products are likely to contribute to the rapidly growing need for sustainable control options against FAW and prospects for their use as biopesticide were recently reviewed by Hussain et al (2021).…”

Calmodulin and calmodulin‐like protein‐mediated plant responses to biotic stresses

“…Herbivores, such as insects and nematodes, damage plants by eating the vegetative tissues, fruits or seeds, and simultaneously spread a variety of diseases and thus reduce crop yields (Stokstad, 2017). For example, the fall armyworm ( Spodoptera frugiperda ), a highly polyphagous and widely migratory pest, has spread from the western hemisphere to more than 70 countries, resulting in the loss of 21%–53% of the annual corn production (Hussain et al, 2021). Moreover, indiscriminate use of synthetic pesticides, such as insecticides, attractants, nematicides and fungicides, usually comes with ecological and environmental consequences including pest resistance and environmental pollution (Ye et al, 2021).…”

“…Herbivores, such as insects and nematodes, damage plants by eating the vegetative tissues, fruits or seeds, and simultaneously spread a variety of diseases and thus reduce crop yields (Stokstad, 2017). For example, the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), a highly polyphagous and widely migratory pest, has spread from the western hemisphere to more than 70 countries, resulting in the loss of 21%-53% of the annual corn production (Hussain et al, 2021).…”

Identification of the Key Functional Domains of Bombyx mori Nucleopolyhedrovirus IE1 Protein

“…Autographa californica nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) and Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) are two representative species of Baculoviridae that are widely used as protein expression tools or gene delivery vectors for protein production, drug screening, and gene therapy [ 3 , 4 ]. As the host species of baculoviruses are mostly agricultural and forestry pests, baculoviruses have also been exploited as biological pesticides [ 5 , 6 ]. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate the mechanism of baculovirus infection to promote its application.…”