The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a devastating pest of maize, and host plant resistance offers a sustainable alternative to chemical control. This study evaluated the resistance of the maize germplasm CH1 against FAW through life table parameters, feeding and oviposition preferences and greenhouse experiment. Results showed that FAW larvae reared on CH1 exhibited significantly prolonged larval development (21.61 d vs. 12.49 d), reduced survival (65.00% vs. 94.00%), and lower fecundity (689.00 vs. 1369.93 eggs per female) compared to those on the susceptible control Huang C. Population parameters, including the intrinsic rate of increase (r) and net reproductive rate (R0), were significantly lower on CH1. Behavioral assays revealed strong feeding and oviposition preferences for Huang C over CH1. Greenhouse experiment confirmed that CH1 plants sustained only minor damage (Davis scale grade 2, resistant), whereas Huang C plants were severely damaged (grade 7, susceptible). These findings demonstrate that CH1 possesses multi-dimensional resistance against FAW, providing a promising genetic resource for breeding FAW-resistant maize varieties and supporting sustainable pest management strategies.
The inverse relationship between larval weight and development duration highlights the role of maize genotype in influencing FAW growth dynamics, with resistant varieties prolonging development and suppressing larval biomass accumulation.
Susan Asekenye, M. Oyoo, K. Khakame· East African Journal of Agri...· 0 citations
Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, is a major maize pest requiring effective and environmentally sustainable management strategies. This study evaluated the efficacy of Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, pheromone traps, and their integration under field conditions in Iraq. Significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) were observed among treatments for larval density, plant infestation, and damage severity. The untreated control recorded the highest larval density (3.46 larvae plant-1), infestation (52.4%), and damage severity (2.86). In contrast, the combined application of B. bassiana + pheromone traps provided the greatest suppression, reducing larval density to 0.92 larvae plant-1 (73.4% reduction), infestation to 18.7% (64.3% reduction), and damage severity to 1.21 (57.7% reduction) relative to the control. Among individual treatments, B. bassiana was more effective than M. anisopliae, reducing larval density to 1.35 larvae plant-1, infestation to 24.5%, and damage severity to 1.48. Pheromone traps alone provided moderate suppression, with corresponding values of 2.14 larvae plant-1, 33.6%, and 1.94, respectively. The superior performance of the combined treatment was attributed to simultaneous suppression of larvae by fungal infection and adult males through pheromone trapping, although synergistic interaction was not statistically established. Overall, integrating entomopathogenic fungi with pheromone-based control showed strong potential for reducing S. frugiperda populations and maize damage while supporting sustainable integrated pest management under field conditions.
Background: Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda J. E. Smith) is an invasive insect pest of maize that can cause substantial foliar damage and adversely affect crop production. Host-plant resistance offers a sustainable and environmentally compatible approach for managing this pest; however, information on resistance in diverse maize germplasm remains limited. Therefore, identifying resistant genotypes is important for supporting the development of fall armyworm-resistant maize.
Aims: The present study screened 25 maize genotypes for resistance to the invasive insect pest fall armyworm under artificial infestation conditions.
Study Design: A randomised block design (RBD) with three replications was used.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted during Kharif 2025 at the Winter Nursery Centre, ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad.
Methodology: Fall armyworm larvae were reared on a chickpea-casein-based artificial diet, and first instar neonates were released onto plants at the V5 phenological stage. Leaf damage rating (LDR) was scored on a 1-9 scale at 7, 14, and 21 days after infestation (DAI); genotypes were categorised as resistant (1-3), moderately resistant (3-6), and susceptible (6-9).
Results: The LDR at 14 days after infestation varied from 2.58 to 7.34 across genotypes. Three genotypes, CML 71 (2.81), DMRE-63 (2.58), and CML 67 (2.92), were classified as resistant; 19 genotypes were moderately resistant; and three genotypes, MIL 9-1662 (6.2), CM 202 (6.44), and Sarhad HSRB (7.34), were susceptible.
Conclusion: The resistant genotypes identified in this study may serve as valuable sources of resistance for incorporation into maize breeding programmes aimed at developing FAW-resistant genotypes.
Bhavani G., P. Soujanya, S. Upendhar et al.· Journal of Advances in Biolo...· 0 citations
The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith, 1797), is a major agricultural pest worldwide because of its polyphagous feeding habits, broad geographic distribution, and high adaptive capacity. Although maize is its primary host, the species can attack more than 350 plant species across 76 botanical families, causing substantial yield losses in several cropping systems. This study evaluated the efficacy of chemical and biological insecticides against S. frugiperda by assessing larval mortality, median lethal time (LT₅₀), and the time required to achieve 90% mortality (LT₉₀) in second- and third-instar larvae. The experiment was conducted at the Integrated Pest Management Laboratory of the Federal University of Santa Maria (LabMIP–UFSM), Brazil, between May and June 2023, using a completely randomized design with five insecticide treatments (Cartugen®, Dipel®, Exalt®, Prêmio®, and Lannate®), an untreated control, and ten replicates. All evaluated insecticides significantly increased larval mortality compared with the untreated control. Lannate® exhibited the highest efficacy, reaching 50%, 90%, and 100% mortality of second-instar larvae approximately 15, 23, and 30 h after application, respectively, whereas the same mortality levels in third-instar larvae were achieved after approximately 23, 40, and 42 h. Biological insecticides also provided effective control; however, their insecticidal activity was slower than that of the chemical insecticides. Overall, chemical insecticides showed superior performance in both larval stages, with Lannate® standing out as the most effective treatment. These findings provide robust experimental evidence to support insecticide selection and contribute to more effective and sustainable integrated pest management programs for S. frugiperda.
Joaquim Almério Jerónimo, W. Boller, D. A. Magano et al.· Brazilian Journal of Animal...· 0 citations
The spotted stem borer, Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is an invasive pest threatening maize production in Türkiye, with larvae inflicting serious damage to stems and cobs. This study evaluated four maize varieties (Hera, DS 0224, AGM 2468, and AGM 2356) under natural infestation in Hatay Province during the 2025 main-crop season, focusing on larval density, feeding damage, and the relationship with plant morphological traits. Significant varietal differences were detected across all major parameters. Hera recorded the highest larval density (2.10 larvae/plant), larvae per stem (1.46) and cob (0.64), exit holes (4.15/plant), and infestation rates in plants (59%), stems (43%), and cobs (31%). In contrast, AGM 2356 showed the lowest larval density (0.51/plant), exit holes (3.00), and infestation rates (plants 22.5%; stems 16.3%; cobs 12%), indicating relative tolerance. DS 0224 (0.79 larvae plant-1; 45% plant infestation) and AGM 2468 (1.17 larvae/plant; 50% plant infestation) exhibited intermediate susceptibility. Tunnel length did not differ significantly among varieties (6.1-7.7 cm). Correlation analysis revealed that cob height, plant height, stem diameter, leaf width, and cob length were positively associated with larval density (p < .001), whereas cob diameter showed a negative relationship. Leaf length and spike length exhibited weak negative correlations. These findings demonstrate that varietal resistance to C. partellus is strongly influenced by plant architecture. The identification of tolerant variety such as AGM 2356, alongside the recognition of morphological traits associated with susceptibility, provides a valuable foundation for breeding programs and integrated pest management (IPM) strategies to mitigate the impact of this invasive pest in Türkiye.
İbrahim Ersin Bozdoğan, Nihat Demirel, Ö. Konuşkan· Turkish Journal of Agricultu...· 0 citations
The efficacy of selected chemicals, botanicals and biopesticides against fall armyworm (FAW; Spodoptera frugiperda) on fodder maize var. African Tall was conducted from 2019 to 2021 at five locations in India. The pooled data revealed that at 3 days after spraying, the FAW population was lowest (16.53% infestation of plants) in T1 treatment (Emamectin benzoate 5 SG @ 5 ml/10 L of water), significantly superior to the rest of the treatments. In addition, the other best treatments were T2 (chlorpyriphos 20 EC @ 20 ml/10 L; 26.36%) followed by T8 (Metarhizium rileyi (Nomuraea) 1.15% WP@ 75 g/10 L; 30.73%), T4 (M. anisopliae 1.15% WP @ 75 g/10 L; 31.30%), T6 (Beauveria bassiana 1.15% WP@ 75 g/10 L; 32.13%), and T5 (B. bassiana 1.15% WP@ 50 g/10 L; 32.96%). Moreover, a similar trend was observed at 7 and 10 days after spraying. The highest green fodder yield (GFY; 37.49 t/ha) was recorded in treatment T1 as compared to the control (22.42 t/ha). Likewise, T1 was the best economical treatment (BC ratio: 1:1.55), followed by T2 (BC ratio: 1:1.31) and T8 (BC ratio: 1:1.23).
Unknown authors· Range Management and Agrofor...· 0 citations
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