Damaging Nature Of Fall Armyworm And Its Management Practices In Maize: A Review

Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a polyphagous pest which is arising as one of the major threats to agricultural crop production. It has around 80 host species that cause severe damage to cereals and vegetable crops. This pest was first discovered in Africa (2016) and first collected and reported in Nepal at Nawalparasi district on 9th may 2019. The larvae of FAW are found on young leaves, leaf whorls, tassels or cobs according to their growth stages. First instar larvae scrape leaves and shows pin-hole symptoms and window-pane feeding symptoms whereas in the later vegetative stages, damage results in skeletonised leaves and heavily windowed whorls. If climatic condition for pest establishment is suitable this pest could cause approximately 100% crop loss in maize if not managed in time. Regular scouting, push and pull method, black light traps, commonly available botanicals like neem locally available materials like ash and some recommended insecticides with recommended dose can be used for the control of fall armyworm. There is an urgent need for developing ecologically sustainable, economically profitable, and socially acceptable integrated pest management strategies to mitigate the impacts of the fall armyworm and not just rely on single management practice.