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Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda

The fall armyworm is a major pest of grains. It occurs in Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia and America, where it feeds on leaves, stems and seeds of over 350 host plants, causing major economic damage to maize, rice, sugar cane, sorgham and wheat as well as to vegetable crops. In Africa and Asia, the ideal climate and abundant host plants can lead to massive outbreaks and complete crop loss. There may be six or more generations of fall army worm per year. It is important to monitor adults using Mothcatcher or Delta traps with species-specific pheromone lures in order to time treatments as part of an effective integrated pest management programme.
Fall armyworm
Biology

 

Nature of Damage

 

Monitoring
Application Guidelines

Lures
Lures can be changed every 4-6 weeks to get the most accurate results.

Lures Handling
Pheromone lures are a very sensitive tool. They can be affected by exposure to elevated heat and direct sunshine. Direct touching by hand may cause cross contamination leading to mixed catches in the trap. Some contaminants such as Nicotine May have repellent effect reducing trap catch.

Lure Storage
Store in a cool dry place. Shelf life can vary from 3-36 months depending on the storage temperature. See Technical Data Sheet for further details.

Trap Selection

The Deltra trap is the most sensitive trap to use for monitoring this insect. However, Moth catcher may be used in dusty conditions or in high moth population density.

Trap Density

Do not re-use the trap to monitor different insects as this may lead to mixed catches. One trap for every two hectares of large scale fields of homogenous lands.

Two traps per hectare (2trap/ha) for small holdings and in field of uneven topography.

Trap Position

Place traps near the highest point of the plant using supporting posts approximately 1 meter high, or higher if the crop is higher.

Data and Interpretation

Collect data weekly from the start of the flight of the over wintering generation. During the height of the population more frequent reading may be needed. Decisions on pesticide application should not be taken solely on the trap catch data. Climatic and biological considerations should be taken in account.