Toward Sustainable Management of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): A Review on the Role of Endophytic Fungi in Crop Protection

Biocontrol potential of native entomopathogenic fungi against Phyllotreta spp. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on radish: a study of damage suppression and population dynamics

Assessment of damage potential and sustainable management options in radish, a highly susceptible, short-duration crop that experiences both foliar and root damage, and the potential of native Beauveria bassiana isolates for integration into sustainable pest management programs highlights the potential of native entomopathogenic fungi for integration into sustainable pest management programs.

Towards sustainable management of Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae): combining resistance, cultural, biological, and chemical approaches-a comprehensive review

Findings indicate that durable, cost-effective T. tabaci control will depend on investing in resistant cultivars, supporting access to quality biocontrol agents, and embedding monitoring based decision tools in extension and policy frameworks rather than relying on calendar based insecticide use.

Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) infestation in maize and its management using mulberry organic residues

Introduction. Soil incorporation of Morus alba biomass mitigates Spodoptera frugiperda damage in maize, through the release of bioactive secondary metabolites with antifeedant properties. Objective. To characterize farmer perceptions of Spodoptera frugiperda severity and evaluate the efficacy of Morus alba residue incorporation as a sustainable management strategy in the Mocache canton, Ecuador. Materials and methods. The research was conducted between December 2023 and May 2024. The study consisted of two phases: a survey of farmers and a field experiment. The farmers were surveyed regarding the agronomic practices they implemented to manage S. frugiperda. The experiment was conducted in the locality of Jesús del Gran Poder and consisted of three treatments: i) a control without pest management or residue incorporation (Control); ii) soil incorporation of 1 t ha⁻¹ of a mixture of maize residues (80 %) and fragmented mulberry cv. Tigreada (20 %) (M+M); and iii) the application of methomyl insecticide. The variables of severity of infestation and agricultural yield were evaluated. A randomized complete block design with three treatments and three replicates was employed. Treatment means were compared using Duncan’s multiple range test (α = 0.05). Statistical processing was performed using the InfoStat package. Results. Residue incorporation reduced severe foliar damage (grades 4-5) to 29.6%, significantly lower than the control (36.1%; p < 0.05). Grain yield reached 4.1 t ha⁻¹ with residues, statistically comparable to methomyl (4.6 t ha⁻¹) and 17 % higher than the control (3.5 t ha⁻¹). Conclusions. The high perception of severity of S. frugiperda by farmers corresponds with high levels of infestation, associated with inadequate agronomic practices and poor technical training. The maize and mulberry residues incorporated into the soil reduce severity and allow obtaining yields like the insecticide, validating its effectiveness as a management alternative in Ecuador and similar regions.

Spodoptera cosmioides (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), a soybean pest: morphological characterization, biology, host plants and management strategies

Towards the sustainable control of diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella L.) in cruciferous crops: current trends, resistance mechanisms, and future frontiers

Diamondback moth (DBM, Plutella xylostella L.) is one of the most damaging pests of cruciferous crops, causing significant economic losses in multiple agri-food production systems globally. The high reproductive potential of DBM, rapid adaptability to diverse ecological zones, and resistance to several synthetic insecticides destabilize their integrated pest management (IPM) efforts. Here, we critically synthesize the current knowledge on DBM research across key IPM thematic areas, including biocontrol, insecticide use, phytochemistry interactions, insect-associated microbiomes and insecticide resistance, as well as the impact of climate alterations. This review has emphasized the importance of evidence based on insecticide applications, which have encouraged the development of resistance and are not sustainable for use in insect population management. However, the availability of other options for biocontrol agents, such as parasitoids, predators, entomopathogens, and host-plant resistance, has also been significant and sustainable for the management of DBM population. Apart from this, the effects of climate fluctuation have increased the spread of DBM population, which has also necessitated the use of adaptive strategies for its management, such as advanced pest surveillance systems, genome editing, and climate resilient cropping systems for breeding resistance to the pest. Despite significant technological advancements, key research gaps remain, including a limited understanding of DBM interactions with phytopathogens, as well as the socio-economic and policy-related barriers that hinder the adoption of IPM. Hence, future goal for DBM control would be implementing robust, sustainable, eco-friendly, and technology-driven approaches to reduce the development of resistance to conventional insecticides and achieving maximum control effects. Future approaches should focus on multidisciplinary collaboration, farmer awareness, and policy support to improve sustainable DBM management. In conclusion, our review provides practical information for improving IPM strategies against DBM populations, ensuring food security, and developing long-term resilience of plant production systems under increasing ecological and climate change pressures.

Unravelling the efficacy and reproductive potential of newly discovered entomopathogenic nematodes, Steinernema indicum and Steinernema shori against Spodoptera frugiperda in maize

The present study highlights the potential of S. shori as a biological control agent against the larval and pupal stages of S. frugiperda and evaluates its efficacy against other economically important insect pests and under diverse environmental conditions to support its wider field application.