Meta-analysis of biological control strategies for fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in maize cultivation

Abstract

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a major invasive pest posing a serious threat to global maize production. The present study conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of biological control strategies against fall armyworm. A total of 86 observations from selected studies were analyzed to estimate the overall pest reduction efficiency of different biocontrol approaches. The meta-analysis was performed in R Studio using the meta and metafor packages. The heterogeneity statistic (I² = 94.01%) with a p-value < 0.01 indicated highly significant variability among studies, reflecting differences in biocontrol agents, environmental conditions, and integration methods. Given this high heterogeneity, a random-effects model was employed, yielding a pooled mean pest reduction of 64.52%, which was slightly higher than the fixed-effects model estimate of 60.08%. These findings suggest that biological control measures exhibit moderately high efficacy in suppressing fall armyworm populations. However, the substantial heterogeneity underscores the need for further investigation to determine the most effective biocontrol agents and management practices under varying agroecological contexts. Standardized experimental designs and reporting practices are recommended to enhance comparability and accuracy in future meta-analyses.