The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae); first report of new invasive pest in maize fields of Gujarat, India

Abstract

A study was conducted to identify the new invasive pest infesting maize in Gujarat, India. During the survey conducted in the month of September 2018, sweet corn field in the Anklav village of Anand district found infested with new invasive pest. Larvae were collected and brought to the laboratory of Department of Entomology, B. A. College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand for identification and further study. Based on morphological and molecular characterization, the pest is identified as fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) and it is the first confirmed report of occurrence of new invasive pest in maize fields of Gujarat, India.