Report of fall army worm Spodoptera frugiperda Smith, J. E., from Uttarakhand

Abstract

Incidence of Fall Armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda Smith, J. E., on Maize was observed in Pantnagar, Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand in last week of July 2019. Identifiaction of the pest was confirmed based on the morphological characteristics. Third instar larvae of the pest were brought to the laboratory and reared. The larvae had undergone to pupation nine days after collection. Pupal period lasted for 4 days. Adults emerged were left for mating and egg laying. The mating period was found to last for 5 days. Eggs were laid in batches of 80 to 160. Incubation period was 4 days. The pest has a devastative record on various crops in South India. The spread of this voracious pest into Uttarakhand was highly notable due the economic loss it causes. The present report gives an alarm for the state to take preventive and control measures against the pest.