Field evaluation of insecticides against the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda in maize

Abstract

Fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a serious invasive insect pest affecting global maize production. The use of chemical control extensively results in repeated control failure posing a need for continuous evaluation of the insecticides recommended for control of fall armyworm at the field level. A field trial was conducted in the winter season (November-February) of 2023-24 with an objective to evaluate six different insecticides namely Emamectin benzoate, Spinosad, Chlorantraniliprole, Spinetoram, Indoxacarb, Imidacloprid. Among the different treatments evaluated Spinetoram showed the most effective control with the highest percent reduction over control in larval population reduction (71.61%; 86.30%) and leaf damage reduction (45.25%; 64.70%) after two rounds of treatment application respectively. Emamectin benzoate and Chlorantraniliprole followed as the next best treatments in controlling the fall armyworm in maize. The above three treatments confirmed the efficacy in controlling with the highest grain yield (2213.33, 2360, 2480 kg/ha) and lowest cob damage (15.28%, 13.06%, 10.28%) respectively. The imidacloprid was a poor performer of all six treatments evaluated in terms of fall armyworm damage and grain yield.