Natural Enemies of Fall Armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Different Agro-Ecologies

Fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) and southern armyworm (SAW) Spodoptera eridania (Stoll) have become major threats to crops in Africa since 2016. African governments adopted emergency actions around chemical insecticides, with limited efforts to assess the richness or roles of indigenous natural enemies. Field surveys and laboratory studies were conducted to identify and assess the performance of parasitoids associated with spodopterans in Cameroon. FAW was the most abundant spodopteran pest. Telenomus remus (Nixon), Trichogramma chilonis (Ishi), Charops sp. (Szépligeti), Coccygidium luteum (Cameron), Cotesia icipe (Fernandez & Fiaboe), and Cotesia sesamiae (Cameron) are the first records in the country on spodopterans. Telenomus remus, T. chilonis, C. icipe, and Charops sp. were obtained from both FAW and SAW; C. luteum and C. sesamiae from FAW. The distribution of spodopterans, their endoparasitoids, and parasitism rates varied with host, season and location. In the laboratory, T. remus showed significantly higher parasitism on FAW than SAW, and significant differences in the development parameters between the two host eggs, with shorter development time on FAW. It induced significant non-reproductive mortality on FAW but not on SAW. Developmental parameters showed that C. icipe has a shorter development time compared to other larval parasitoids. Implications for conservative and augmentative biocontrol are discussed.

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Indigenous Natural Enemies Attacking Fall Armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Ghana

Journal of Entomology ◽

10.3923/je.2021.1.7 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Umar Sanda Issa ◽

Kofi Frimpong-A ◽

Ibrahim Adama ◽

Moses Brandford ◽

Haruna Braimah ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Natural Enemies ◽

Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽

Fall Armyworm ◽

Indigenous Natural Enemies ◽

Lepidoptera Noctuidae

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First report of Telenomus remus parasitizing Spodoptera frugiperda and its field parasitism in southern China

Journal of Hymenoptera Research ◽

10.3897/jhr.73.39136 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 73 ◽

pp. 95-102 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Yong-Lin Liao ◽

Bin Yang ◽

Miao-Feng Xu ◽

Wei Lin ◽

De-Sen Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽

Southern China ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Fall Armyworm ◽

Invasive Pest ◽

Egg Mass ◽

Molecular Evidence ◽

Parasitism Rates ◽

Telenomus Remus

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, is a lepidopteran pest that feeds on many economically important cereal crops such as corn, rice, sorghum, and sugarcane. Native to the Americas, it has become a serious invasive pest in Africa and Asia. Recently, this pest was found in China and has spread quickly across the country. As S. frugiperda will most likely become a major pest in China, Integrated Pest Management strategies, including biological control methods, should be developed to manage its populations. Here, we report the detection of Telenomus remus parasitizing S. frugiperda eggs in cornfields in southern China based on morphological and molecular evidence. Our preliminary surveys indicated that the parasitism rates of T. remus on S. frugiperda could reach 30% and 50% for egg masses and per egg mass, respectively. Further application of T. remus against S. frugiperda in biological control programs are discussed.

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Occurrence of natural enemies of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Nigeria

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0254328 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (7) ◽

pp. e0254328

Author(s):

Akindele Oluwole Ogunfunmilayo ◽

Shakiru Adewale Kazeem ◽

Joy Ejemen Idoko ◽

Raphael Abiodun Adebayo ◽

Elizabeth Yetunde Fayemi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Natural Enemies ◽

Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Fall Armyworm ◽

Parasitic Mite ◽

Maize Plants ◽

Staple Crop ◽

Lepidoptera Noctuidae ◽

Eggs And Larvae ◽

Telenomus Remus

Fall armyworm (FAW; Spodoptera frugiperda), an exotic moth which recently invaded Africa, is a highly destructive pest of cereals especially maize a highly valued staple crop in Nigeria. The use of natural enemies such as predators or parasitoids for FAW control is more economically viable and environmentally safer than currently recommended synthetic insecticides. Natural enemies to combat the pest have not yet been reported in Nigeria. An exploration for the pests’ natural enemies was undertaken by collecting FAW eggs and larvae from maize fields. These were reared in the laboratory for emergence, identification and efficacy as natural enemies. This yielded Euplectrus laphygmae (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae); Telenomus remus (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) and Trombidium sp. (Acari.: Trombidiidae). Cotesia or Apanteles spp. were inferred to occur since Stictopisthus sp. (Hym.: Ichneumonidae), a secondary parasitoid, that attacks cocoons of Microgasterinae (e.g. Cotesia, Apanteles etc.) also emerged. Species of yet-to-be identified predators were also observed in various niches of maize plants. A positive relationship was found between FAW instar and the number of E. laphygmae eggs/instar ranging, on average, from 1.5 on second instar to 5.5 on fourth instars hosts. Parasitism rate of T. remus on FAW eggs was 100%. Parasitic mite infestation resulted in increasing paleness, reduced feeding, growth and movement as well as death of FAW 1st instars. Thus, the occurrence of FAW natural enemies in Nigeria calls for advocacy campaign to incorporate their use into integrated pest management strategies that attract and allow natural enemies to thrive for FAW management.

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

BASE - Numéro 3 ◽

10.25518/1780-4507.19125 ◽

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.

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Evidence of Leaf Consumption Rate Decrease in Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, Larvae Parasitized by Coccygidium luteum

Insects ◽

10.3390/insects10110410 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 410 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Lakpo Koku Agboyi ◽

Samuel Adjei Mensah ◽

Victor Attuquaye Clottey ◽

Patrick Beseh ◽

Raymond Glikpo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Natural Enemies ◽

Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽

Consumption Rate ◽

Fall Armyworm ◽

Adult Emergence ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Leaf Consumption ◽

Parasitism Rates ◽

Control Programmes

Biological control is one of the best options for the sustainable management of the invasive maize pest Spodoptera frugiperda in Africa. However, there is limited knowledge of the efficacy of native natural enemies of S. frugiperda and their potential use in integrated pest management. The endoparasitoid wasp Coccygidium luteum is one of the natural enemies of S. frugiperda in Africa. This study assessed, under laboratory conditions, the effect of C. luteum on the leaf consumption rate of its host. Fifty first instar S. frugiperda larvae were exposed to C. luteum for oviposition and the maize leaf consumption rate of parasitized larvae was assessed and compared to 50 unparasitized larvae from the same cohort. Coccygidium luteum completed a generation, from egg to adult emergence, in 16.7 days. The leaf consumption rate of parasitized S. frugiperda larvae declined gradually compared to unparasitized larvae and the overall consumption reduction by parasitized S. frugiperda larvae was 89%. Our findings show that C. luteum could reduce damage caused by S. frugiperda to maize farms but, prior to its use in biological control programmes, further studies are needed to assess potential parasitism rates in field conditions and develop a cost-effective mass production system.

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Impact of an Exotic Invasive Pest, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), on Resident Communities of Pest and Natural Enemies in Maize Fields in Kenya

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11061074 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 1074

Author(s):

Bonoukpoè Mawuko Sokame ◽

Boaz Musyoka ◽

Julius Obonyo ◽

François Rebaudo ◽

Elfatih M. Abdel-Rahman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Natural Enemies ◽

Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽

Fall Armyworm ◽

Invasive Pest ◽

Growth Stages ◽

Insect Communities ◽

Exotic Invasive Species ◽

Before And After ◽

Exotic Invasive ◽

Lepidoptera Noctuidae

The interactions among insect communities influence the composition of pest complexes that attack crops and, in parallel, their natural enemies, which regulate their abundance. The lepidopteran stemborers have been the major maize pests in Kenya. Their population has been regulated by natural enemies, mostly parasitoids, some of which have been used for biological control. It is not known how a new exotic invasive species, such as the fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae), may affect the abundance and parasitism of the resident stemborers. For this reason, pest and parasitism surveys have been conducted, before and after the FAW invaded Kenya, in maize fields in 40 localities across 6 agroecological zones (AEZs) during the maize-growing season, as well as at 3 different plant growth stages (pre-tasseling, reproductive, and senescence stages) in 2 elevations at mid-altitude, where all maize stemborer species used to occur together. Results indicated that the introduction of the FAW significantly correlated with the reduction of the abundance of the resident communities of maize stemborers and parasitoids in maize fields; moreover, the decrease of stemborer density after the arrival of FAW occurred mostly at both reproductive and senescent maize stages. It also suggests a possible displacement of stemborers by FAW elsewhere; for example, to other cereals. However, since this study was conducted only three years after the introduction of the FAW, further studies will need to be conducted to confirm such displacements.

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Factors influencing the occurrence of fall armyworm parasitoids in Zambia

Journal of Pest Science ◽

10.1007/s10340-020-01320-9 ◽

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.

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

Insects ◽

10.3390/insects11090615 ◽

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.

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