scholarly journals First Report of Native Parasitoids of Fall Armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Mozambique

Insects ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 615
Author(s):  
Albasini Caniço ◽  
António Mexia ◽  
Luisa Santos
Keyword(s):  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Insect Pest ◽  
Fall Armyworm ◽  
Egg Masses ◽  
Native Parasitoids ◽  
Cropping Season ◽  
Parasitism Rates ◽  
Lepidoptera Noctuidae

The alien invasive insect pest Spodoptera frugiperda Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), commonly referred to as fall armyworm (FAW), is causing significant losses to maize production in Africa since its detection in 2016. As an emergency response, governments in several countries distributed and/or promoted massive use of synthetic insecticides among smallholder farmers to fight FAW. The inappropriate use of synthetic insecticides by non-trained and ill-equipped farmers raises environmental and health concerns. This study aimed to assess the occurrence of native parasitoids of FAW, their parasitism rates, and relative abundance in the central province of Manica, Mozambique. A field collection of FAW egg masses and larvae was conducted from May to August 2019 (dry season of the 2018/2019 cropping season) and in December 2019 and January 2020 (rainy season of 2019/2020 cropping season). A total of 101 egg masses and 1444 larvae of FAW were collected from infested fields. Five larval parasitoids were recorded, but no egg parasitism was observed. Coccygidium luteum Brullé (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and Drino quadrizonula Thomson (Diptera: Tachinidae) were the primary parasitoids. Maximum parasitism of 23.68% and 8.86% and relative abundance of 100 and 96.3 were recorded for C. luteum and D. quadrizonula, respectively. Total parasitism by different parasitoid species was at 9.49%. Cultural practices favoring the action of these parasitoids should be advocated.

scholarly journals Seasonal Dynamics of the Alien Invasive Insect Pest Spodoptera frugiperda Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Manica Province, Central Mozambique

Insects ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 512
Author(s):  
Albasini Caniço ◽  
António Mexia ◽  
Luisa Santos
Keyword(s):  
Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽  
Seasonal Dynamics ◽  
Insect Pest ◽  
Fall Armyworm ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Invasive Insect ◽  
Cropping Season ◽  
Lepidoptera Noctuidae ◽  
Methods Of Control

The alien invasive insect pest Spodoptera frugiperda Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), commonly referred to as fall armyworm (FAW), is causing significant losses to maize production in Africa since its detection in 2016. Despite being the primary insect pest of the main food crop in the country, researchers have concentrated their efforts on methods of control, and there are no published studies on its seasonality which could assist farmers in delivering effective methods of control in periods of heavy infestations. The primary goal of this study was to assess the seasonal dynamics of FAW in maize fields. We conducted a field survey from May to August 2019 (dry season of the 2018/2019 cropping season) and in December 2019 and January 2020 (rainy season of the 2019/2020 cropping season) in 622 maize fields. In each field, 20 plants were selected in a “W” pattern and checked for the presence of FAW egg masses and/or larvae. Plants were also assessed for damage. Preliminary results show increased infestation, damages, and population density of FAW in the dry season. Our results suggest that early planting of maize in the primary cropping season may significantly reduce the infestation and damage by FAW when compared to the dry season.

scholarly journals Assessment of the Host Range of Fall Armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Manica Province, Mozambique

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albasini Caniço ◽  
António Mexia ◽  
Luisa Santos
Keyword(s):  
Host Range ◽  
Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽  
Host Plants ◽  
Insect Pest ◽  
Fall Armyworm ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Invasive Insect ◽  
Cropping Season ◽  
Polyphagous Insect ◽  
Lepidoptera Noctuidae

The alien invasive insect pest Spodoptera frugiperda Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), commonly referred to as Fall Armyworm (FAW), is a polyphagous insect feeding on more than 350 host plants in addition to maize in its native habitat. Due to the voracious nature of FAW, significant yield losses on maize production were reported across the African continent since its detection in 2016. Despite being a polyphagous insect, little is known about its alternative host plants in the new habitat including Mozambique. This study aimed to assess the host range of FAW in the central province of Manica, Mozambique. A field survey was conducted from May to August 2019 (dry season of 2018/2019 cropping season) and in December 2019 and January 2020 (rainy season of 2019/2020 cropping season) in maize fields and crops often mixed with maize or located in the vicinity of maize fields. A total of 1291 fields were surveyed. In each field, 20 plants were selected in a “W” pattern and checked for the presence of FAW egg masses and/or larvae. At the time of the sampling, no evidence was found suggesting that in Manica province FAW feeds in crops other than maize because out of 35 different crops surveyed, FAW was only recorded on maize. Results from this study suggest that the strain of FAW occurring in Manica province might be the one specialized in maize or the continuous availability of maize fields throughout the year is influencing the choices of the host plants of this invasive insect pest.

scholarly journals Farmers’ knowledge, perception and management practices of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda Smith) in Manica province, Mozambique

NeoBiota ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 68 ◽  
pp. 127-143
Author(s):  
Albasini Caniço ◽  
António Mexia ◽  
Luisa Santos
Keyword(s):  
Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Insect Pest ◽  
Fall Armyworm ◽  
Financial Resources ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Maize Cultivation ◽  
Lepidoptera Noctuidae ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

This study aimed to gather information about farmers’ knowledge, perception and management practices of the newly introduced insect pest, the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Manica province, Mozambique. A total of 200 smallholder farmers with experience in maize cultivation were surveyed using a semi-structured questionnaire. The survey was conducted between May and August 2019 in four districts: Macate, Manica, Sussundenga and Vanduzi. Most farmers were unable to morphologically identify fall armyworm (FAW) (from 93.9% in Vanduzi to 98.0% in Manica). Most farmers have experienced FAW damage in their farms (from 92% in Macate to 98.0% in Manica). Maize is mostly planted in October and November (from 44.0% in Sussundenga to 60.0% of farmers in Manica), but the highest infestation period is believed to be between November and February. With the exception of Vanduzi where 65.3% of farmers apply insecticides, most farmers in other districts do not use any method to control FAW (from 60.8% in Macate to 88.0% in Manica and Sussundenga respectively). Among those applying insecticides, from 65.0% in Manica to 75.0% in Vanduzi have confidence in the efficiency of the insecticides being used against FAW. Most farmers reported an increase in the spread of FAW. The lack of financial resources is reported as the main constraint in the fight against FAW. This study is the first of its nature in the province of Manica and provides valuable information that may support extension services and researchers when designing FAW management options for local smallholder farmers.

scholarly journals Factors influencing the occurrence of fall armyworm parasitoids in Zambia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Léna Durocher-Granger ◽  
Tibonge Mfune ◽  
Monde Musesha ◽  
Alyssa Lowry ◽  
Kathryn Reynolds ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Natural Enemies ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Insect Pest ◽  
Fall Armyworm ◽  
Parasitoid Species ◽  
Maize Crop ◽  
Parasitism Rates ◽  
Control Programmes ◽  
Interest In Research

AbstractInvasive alien species have environmental, economic and social impacts, disproportionally threatening livelihood and food security of smallholder farmers in low- and medium-income countries. Fall armyworm (FAW) (Spodoptera frugiperda), an invasive insect pest from the Americas, causes considerable losses on maize to smallholder farmers in Africa since 2016. The increased use of pesticides to control FAW in Africa raises concerns for health and environmental risks resulting in a growing interest in research on biological control options for smallholder farmers. In order to evaluate the occurrence of local natural enemies attacking FAW, we collected on a weekly basis FAW eggs and larvae during a maize crop cycle in the rainy season of 2018–2019 at four locations in the Lusaka and Central provinces in Zambia. A total of 4373 larvae and 162 egg masses were collected. For each location and date of collection, crop stage, the number of plants checked and amount of damage were recorded to analyse which factors best explain the occurrence of the natural enemy species on maize. Overall parasitism rates from local natural enemies at each location varied between 8.45% and 33.11%. We identified 12 different egg-larval, larval and larval-pupal parasitoid species. Location, maize growth stage, pest density and larval stage significantly affected parasitoid species occurrence. Our findings indicate that there is potential for increasing local populations of natural enemies of FAW through conservation biological control programmes and develop safe and practical control methods for smallholder farmers.

scholarly journals Performance of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Fed on Six Host Plants: Potential Risks to Mid-high Latitude Crops in China

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 16
Author(s):  
Yu Chen ◽  
Jingfei Guo ◽  
Zupeng Gao ◽  
Kanglai He ◽  
Shuxiong Bai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽  
High Latitude ◽  
Insect Pest ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Fall Armyworm ◽  
Pupal Weight ◽  
Nutritional Indices ◽  
Affected Relative ◽  
Soybean Leaves ◽  
Lepidoptera Noctuidae

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a polyphggous and widespread insect pest. In the study, the biological characteristics and nutritional indices of S. frugiperda fed on six crops, namely corn, sorghum, wheat, soybean, peanut, and cotton, were investigated under laboratory conditions. These crops are cultivated mainly in the mid-high latitude of China. Results showed that S. frugiperda was able to develop and reproduce on all six tested plants. Larvae reared on corn exhibited a significant shorter larval and pupal duration, higher pupal weight, and higher fecundity, which were 16.2 d, 8.9 d, 0.248 g, and 979.4 eggs per female, respectively. The host plant significantly affected relative growth, consumption, and metabolic rates, as well as other nutritional indices. Biology and nutritional indexes suggested that corn was the most suitable host. Besides, peanut, sorghum, and wheat have also been shown to be the suitable hosts for S. frugiperda. Although cotton and soybean were found to be less adequate, high larval and pupal survivors recorded on cotton and soybean leaves have indicated that damage may occur in these plants. This work reveals the damage risk of potential hosts of S. frugiperda, lays the foundation for the design of pest management strategies.

EFEITO DO AUMENTO DA DENSIDADE DE LARVAS DE Spodoptera frugiperda EM MILHO CONVENCIONAL EM CASA DE VEGETAÇÃO

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 337
Author(s):  
LETÍCIA HELLWIG ◽  
ANDERSON DIONEI GRUTZMACHER ◽  
PATRÍCIA MARQUES DOS SANTOS ◽  
CALISC DE OLIVEIRA TRECHA ◽  
LAUREN BITTENCOURT MEDINA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Zea Mays ◽  
Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽  
Zea Mays L ◽  
Insect Pest ◽  
Control Level ◽  
Fall Armyworm ◽  
Level Control ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Artificial Infestation ◽  
Lepidoptera Noctuidae

 RESUMO - A produção de milho tem sofrido grandes avanços, propiciando aumento de produtividade, no entanto, esta é diretamente afetada pelo ataque de insetos desde o plantio até a sua utilização. Neste contexto, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) é considerada o principal inseto-praga. Para a cultura do milho já existem níveis de controle definidos, entretanto, mesmo utilizando os já estabelecidos, ocorrem perdas na produção. Assim, o objetivo do estudo foi reavaliar o nível de dano de S. frugiperda em milho convencional BG7060, por meio de infestação artificial com diferentes densidades populacionais de lagartas (0, 1, 3, 5, 10, 15 e 20 lagartas planta-1) em plantas no estádio fenológico V4-V8 (folhas completamente expandidas) em condições de casa de vegetação. Os resultados obtidos evidenciaram que o aumento do número de lagartas de S. frugiperda por planta afeta todas as variáveis relacionadas à produtividade, exceto a altura de planta e comprimento da espiga, propiciando uma menor produtividade. Constatou-se que o nível de controle de S. frugiperda para o híbrido BG7060 no estádios V4-V8 é 29% de plantas atacadas em uma amostragem de 100 plantas, quando ocorre uma lagarta planta-1.Palavras-chave: nível de controle, monitoramento, manejo integrado de pragas, Zea mays L. LEVEL OF DAMAGE OF FALL ARMYWORM, Spodoptera frugiperda, IN CONVENTIONAL MAIZE IN GREENHOUSE CONDITIONS  ABSTRACT - The maize production has advanced considerably providing an increase in productivity, however, this is directly affected by the insect attack in all phases. In this context, the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is considered the main insect-pest. There is a control levels set for the maize production, however, using the level of control already established, production losses occur. In this sense, the purposes of the study was re-evaluate the level of damage of the S. frugiperda in conventional maize, BG7060, through artificial infestation with different populational densities (0, 1, 3, 5, 10, 15 and 20 caterpillars plant-1), of plants at V4-V8 phenological stage (fully expanded leaves) in green house conditions. The results obtained highlighted that the increase in the number of caterpillars of S. frugiperda by plant affects all variables related to productivity, except the plant height and length of the ear, providing a smaller productivity. It was found that the control level of S. frugiperda for the BG7060 maize for V4-V8 stage is 29% of attacked plants in a sample of 100 plants, when there is one caterpillar per plant.Keywords: level control, monitoring, integrated pest management, Zea mays L.

scholarly journals Integrated pest management options for the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda in West Africa: Challenges and opportunities. A review

2021 ◽  
pp. 192-207
Author(s):  
Besmer Régis Ahissou ◽  
Wendnéyidé Mathieu Sawadogo ◽  
Aimé H. Bokonon-Ganta ◽  
Irénée Somda ◽  
François Verheggen
Keyword(s):  
West Africa ◽  
Natural Enemies ◽  
Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Insect Pest ◽  
Fall Armyworm ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Indigenous Natural Enemies

Introduction. The fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a voracious and generalist insect pest native to America. It was first detected in West Africa in 2016 and rapidly spread across the continent. The indiscriminate use of chemical insecticides poses risks to human health and threatens the few natural enemies present in these environments. Despite the existence of alternative control measures in America (e.g. genetically modified maize), efforts are needed to develop environmentally friendly approaches that are affordable for smallholder farmers and compatible with the African context. Literature. In this literature review, we describe the potential of the available alternative controls methods which include cultural, physical, biological and semiochemical strategies. The potential of their association is discussed considering their cost-benefice balance and local economic and agricultural context. Conclusions. Several affordable mitigation options could be implemented rapidly, pending proper communication efforts, including (i) the promotion of indigenous natural enemies by promoting refuges and training smallholder farmers on their identification; (ii) cultural methods, mainly by planting directly after the main rainfalls, as well as performing intercropping and crop rotation; and (iii) the use of microbial biopesticides, and avoiding some of the already identified ineffective chemical insecticides.

scholarly journals Impact of the number of Spodoptera frugiperda egg layers on parasitism by Trichogramma atopovirilia

2005 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 190-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo Barbosa Beserra ◽  
José Roberto Postali Parra
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Natural Enemies ◽  
Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽  
Fall Armyworm ◽  
Egg Parasitoids ◽  
Egg Masses ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Lepidoptera Noctuidae

Egg parasitoids of the genus Trichogramma (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) can be found in several crops attacking Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) eggs. It is therefore necessary to demonstrate the capacity of these natural enemies in suppressing populations of the pest to allow them to be used in biological control programs against that species. This work had the objective of evaluating the impact of egg layer distribution in S. frugiperda egg masses on the parasitism capacity of Trichogramma atopovirilia Oatman & Platner, 1983. Masses containing one, two, and three layers were used as treatments, and 1.6 parasitoid per egg of the pest were released. Parasitism percentage differences were observed among the three types of masses under study, on average 66.24 ± 8.56%, 45.20 ± 6.20%, and 40.10± 3.46% for egg masses with one, two, and three layers, respectively, demonstrating the potential of use of the parasitoid for the control of fall armyworm.

scholarly journals Behavior of Trichogramma atopovirilia Oatman & Platner and T. pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) on Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) egg masses

2005 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. B Beserra ◽  
C. T. Dias ◽  
J. R. P. Parra
Keyword(s):  
Residence Time ◽  
Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽  
Fall Armyworm ◽  
Oviposition Period ◽  
Egg Mass ◽  
Trichogramma Pretiosum ◽  
Egg Masses ◽  
Physical Barriers ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Lepidoptera Noctuidae

In this study we analyzed the impact of physical barriers of Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) egg-masses on the behavior of Trichogramma atopovirilia Oatman & Platner and Trichogramma pretiosum Riley. The duration of drumming, drilling, oviposition, period spent over the egg-mass, and interval between parasitized eggs were timed, and the number of parasitized eggs were recorded. The presence of scales on the egg-masses caused a significant increase in the time spent by both parasitoids on each process and a decrease in the residence time over the egg-mass and in the number of parasitized eggs, with an increase in the number of egg layers. There was a significant decrease in the number of parasitized eggs in relation to egg-masses with one layer and no scales. We observed that the physical barriers in fall armyworm egg-masses changed the behavior of T. atopovirilia and T. pretiosum, affecting their parasitization capacity.

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