Comparative assessment of biopesticides for the laboratory control of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Benin

Comparative laboratory efficacy of three commercial organophosphate insecticides against fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) larvae

Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, is a maize pest whose management remains dependent on synthetic insecticides. This study compared three organophosphate insecticides against third-instar S. frugiperda larvae. Chlorpyrifos, profenofos, and diazinon were evaluated at 5%, 20%, 50%, 75%, and 95% of the maximum label dose using a factorial completely randomized design with three replications of six larvae. Mortality was recorded for 168 h and corrected using Abbott’s formula based on pooled control mortality. Insecticide formulation significantly affected mortality (F₂,₃₀ = 39.06, P < 0.001), whereas concentration (F₄,₃₀ = 0.57, P = 0.687) and the insecticide × concentration interaction (F₈,₃₀ = 1.62, P = 0.162) were not significant. Across concentrations, profenofos and diazinon caused mean mortalities of 90.4% and 93.2%, respectively, and both were more effective than chlorpyrifos, which caused 32.2% mortality. Exploratory probit analysis estimated LC₅₀ values of 2.01% for profenofos and 0.71% for diazinon, but both were below the lowest concentration and had wide confidence intervals. Chlorpyrifos LC values were not estimable because its concentration–mortality slope was negative and non-significant. At 95% of the label dose, profenofos reached 50% corrected mortality within 24 h and diazinon within 48 h, whereas chlorpyrifos did not reach this threshold within 168 h. Profenofos and diazinon showed comparably high efficacy and outperformed chlorpyrifos.

Evaluation of selected entomopathogenic fungi and pheromones for the control of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) on maize in Baghdad

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.

Efficacy of Hydroalcoholic Extracts of Ricinus communis, Azadirachta indica and Tephrosia vogelii for Control of Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in Maize under Fild Condition in Quibala community, Uíge (Angola)

A B S T R A C T   This field study evaluated the efficacy of hydroalcoholic extracts of Ricinus communis, A. indica and T. vogelii on the control of Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith, 1797) in maize in Quibala, Uíge (Angola) from February to June 2025. A completely randomized design with three replicates per treatment was implemented over a total area of 483 m². Extracts were prepared by maceration using a locally distilled beverage (“capuca” with an ethanol concentration of 48% v/v) and applied by foliar spray to naturally infested maize (cv. Samaru 13). Entomological parameters included number of affected plants, live larvae (LL) and dead larvae (DL); efficacy was calculated using Abbott’s equation. One-way ANOVA detected significant differences among treatments (p < 0.05); Two-way ANOVA (treatment × week) showed highly significant main effects (treatment and week: p < 0.001) and a significant interaction (p = 0.002). A multiple regression model using log-transformed LL and DL explained 69.6% of the variance in efficacy (adjusted R2 = 0.696; F = 119.8; p<1.7×10−27). R. communis produced the fastest initial larval mortality and highest mean efficacy, followed by T. vogelii; both were performing comparably to the reference treatment. A. indica showed a slower, but sustained effect, whereas the “Kangila” formulation had low efficacy. These results support further development of R. communis and T. vogelii extracts for smallholder integrated pest management, with further research additional work on formulation and application schedules to improve field persistence.   Keywords: Spodoptera frugiperda; plants hydroalcoholic extracts; efficacy; integrated pest management; Angola   Eficácia dos extratos hidroalcoólicos de Ricinus communis, Azadirachta indica e Tephrosia vogelii no controlo da lagarta-do-cartucho (Spodoptera frugiperda) no milho em condições de campo na comunidade de Quibala, Uíge (Angola)   R E S U M O Este estudo de campo avaliou a eficácia dos extratos hidroalcoólicos de Ricinus communis, Azadirachta indica e Tephrosia vogelii no controlo de Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith, 1797) no milho, em Quibala, Uíge (Angola), entre fevereiro e junho de 2025. Foi utilizado um delineamento completamente casualizado com três repetições por tratamento, em uma área total de 483 m². Os extratos foram preparados por maceração usando uma bebida destilada local (“capuca”, com teor alcoólico de 48% v/v) e aplicados por pulverização foliar em milho naturalmente infestado (cv. Samaru 13). Os parâmetros entomológicos incluíram número de plantas afetadas, larvas vivas (LL) e larvas mortas (DL); a eficácia foi calculada pela equação de Abbott. A ANOVA unidirecional detectou diferenças significativas entre tratamentos (p<0.05); a ANOVA bivariada (tratamento × semana) mostrou efeitos principais altamente significativos (tratamento e semana: p<0.001) e interação significativa (p=0.002). Um modelo de regressão múltipla, usando LL e DL transformadas pelo log, explicou 69,6% da variância na eficácia (R² ajustado =0.696; F=119.8; p<1.7×10−27). R. communis apresentou a mortalidade larvar inicial mais rápida e a maior eficácia média, seguido por T. vogelii; ambos tiveram desempenho comparável ao tratamento de referência. A. indica mostrou um efeito mais lento, porém sustentado, enquanto a formulação “Kangila” apresentou baixa eficácia. Estes resultados apoiam o desenvolvimento adicional dos extratos de R. communis e T. vogelii para o manejo integrado de pragas por pequenos agricultores, recomendando-se estudos complementares sobre formulação e esquemas de aplicação para melhorar a persistência em campo.   Palavras-Chaves: Spodoptera frugiperda; extratos hidroalcoólicos de plantas; eficácia; manejo integrado de pragas; Angola   Eficacia de los extractos hidroalcohólicos de Ricinus communis, Azadirachta indica y Tephrosia vogelii para el control de la oruga militar del maíz (Spodoptera frugiperda) en maíz en condiciones de campo en la comunidad de Quibala, Uíge (Angola)   R E S U M E N Este estudio de campo evaluó la eficacia de los extractos hidroalcohólicos de Ricinus communis, Azadirachta indica y Tephrosia vogelii en el control de Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith, 1797) en maíz en Quibala, Uíge (Angola) entre febrero y junio de 2025. Se empleó un diseño completamente al azar con tres repeticiones por tratamiento en una superficie total de 483 m². Los extractos se prepararon por maceración utilizando una bebida destilada local (“capuca”, con concentración de etanol de 48% v/v) y se aplicaron por pulverización foliar sobre maíz naturalmente infestado (cv. Samaru 13). Los parámetros entomológicos incluyeron número de plantas afectadas, larvas vivas (LL) y larvas muertas (DL); la eficacia se calculó mediante la ecuación de Abbott. La ANOVA unidireccional detectó diferencias significativas entre tratamientos (p<0.05); la ANOVA de dos vías (tratamiento × semana) mostró efectos principales altamente significativos (tratamiento y semana: p<0.001) y una interacción significativa (p=0.002). Un modelo de regresión múltiple, usando LL y DL transformadas por logaritmo, explicó el 69,6% de la varianza en la eficacia (R² ajustado =0.696; F=119.8; p<1.7×10−27). R. communis produjo la mortalidad larvaria inicial más rápida y la mayor eficacia media, seguido por T. vogelii; ambos mostraron un rendimiento comparable al tratamiento de referencia. A. indica presentó un efecto más lento pero sostenido, mientras que la formulación “Kangila” mostró baja eficacia. Estos resultados respaldan el desarrollo adicional de los extractos de R. communis y T. vogelii para el manejo integrado de plagas en pequeños agricultores, recomendando investigaciones complementarias sobre formulación y esquemas de aplicación para mejorar la persistencia en campo

Efficacy of botanical and biological inseccides against Spodoptera frugiperda in corn

Eficacia de insecticidas botánicos y biológicos contra Spodoptera frugiperda en maíz

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, is one of the main pests of corn in Ecuador, causing significant yield losses. The intensive use of chemical insecticides for its control poses environmental and human health risks. As a sustainable alternative, this study evaluated the efficiency of biological and botanical insecticides under laboratory conditions. The research was conducted from May to July 2025 using a completely randomized design with four treatments [BotaniGard® ES (Beauveria bassiana), Dipel® WG (Bacillus thuringiensis), NeemAzal® T/S (neem oil), and Delegate® 250 WG (spinetoram, as a chemical control)], which were applied to third-instar larvae via the leaf immersion technique, with evaluations at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h. Results showed that B. thuringiensis achieved 100% mortality at 96 h, followed by neem oil and B. bassiana, both with 97.5%. Spinetoram produced immediate and sustained mortality of 100% from 24 h. In contrast, neem showed a low initial mortality rate (17.5%) that progressively increased over time. Overall, the biological and botanical insecticides evaluated are effective alternatives for managing S. frugiperda under laboratory conditions, helping reduce dependence on conventional chemical insecticides.

Effects of Mesosphaerum suaveolens leaves oil Emulsifiable Concentrate and Lamda-cyhalothrin on arthropods associated with Cucumis melo in Wukari, Nigeria