Fall army worm Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) new formidable challenge pest in maize crop: A review

Abstract

The global agriculture often faces new threats from invasive alien insect pests, pathogens, weeds etc requiring immediate attention and co-operative action to manage the pestilence. In this regard, the fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda is a notorious pestiferous insect with high dispersal ability, wide host range and high fecundity that make it one of the most severe economic pests. It is the first confirmed report of occurrence of new invasive pest on maize fields in Raigarh district of Chhattisgarh. Identification of FA W has been carried out employing nature of damage indicating that there was moist sawdust-like frass near the funnel and upper leaves and morphological character based on maize crop. Its high pestiferous nature poses a formidable challenge to Indian agriculture warranting immediate action before it assumes a serious proportion.