This presentation is about Fall armyworm and its lifecycle, damage symptoms and management.

1. Prepared by:
Suraj Poudel
Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science
Paklihawa, Rupandehi

2. Scientific name: Spodoptera frugiperda
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Noctuidae
Native to the tropical and subtropical regions of America.
It is known for its strong flying ability.
Adult female can fly up to 1600 km in just 30 hours.
Recorded first time in African country Nigeria in 2016.
In 2018,it was recorded first time in Asia in Karnataka State of
India.
In Nepal, the entry of this pest was confirmed by National Plant
Protection Organization (NPPO) in a meeting held at Plant
Quarantine and pesticide Management Center (PQPMC) in 12th
August 2019 on the basis of molecular analysis report.

3. FAW life-cycle is completed in 28-48 days depending
on weather conditions.
1. Eggs:
Female deposits dome shaped eggs masses on the
underside of the leaves.
Number of eggs per mass varies from 100-200 and
total eggs produced per female averages to 1500.
Female deposits a layer of grayish scales between
and over the eggs which imparts furry or moldy
appearance.
 Initially, the eggs are white, greenish brown color
which turns into black before hatching.
The eggs hatch in about 2-5 days in summer season.

4. 2. Larva
Usually six instars in FAW.
Young larva is greenish with black head which
changes into brownish with reddish brown head
when matured.
Matured larva has characteristics features.
• White colored inverted “Y” shaped mark in the
head.
• Four dark spots arranged in square shape at the
8th segment.
• Three yellow colored stripes can be clearly seen in
the back side of larva.
Epidermis of the larva is rough or granular in
texture when examine closely but does not feel
rough when touched since it lacks microspines
unlike corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea).
Larva tends to hide themselves during the
daytime and becomes active during nights.
Duration of larval stage is about 14-21 days.

5. 3. Pupa
Pupa of FAW is reddish brown and
found in 2-8 cm depth of soil.
The larva constructs a loose cocoon
by tying soil particles together with
silk.
They use leaves debris and other
substances if the soil is hard.
Duration of pupal stage is about 9-13
days during summer.

6. 4. Adult:
The forewing of male moth is shaded
gray and brown, with triangular white
spots at tip and near center of the
forewings.
The forewing of female moth is uniform
grayish brown without distinct markings.
The hind-wings are iridescent silver-
white with a narrow dark border in both
sexes.
The life span of adult FAW ranges from
10-21 days.
Male Moth
Female Moth

7. Pupa (9-13 days)
Adult (10-21
days)
Eggs(2-5 days)
Larva (14-21 days)
Fall Armyworm
Lifecycle
©Suraj Poudel

8. FAW is a destructive, polyphagous and dreaded
insect pest.
Wide range of host plant, over 80 plants
species recorded till date.
Plants such as field corn, sweet corn, Sorghum,
Bermuda grass and other grass weeds are major
host plants.
The larva is voracious in nature and consumes
nearly all the vegetation in their path thus,
acquiring the name “Armyworm”.
FAW mostly prefers the corn but Paddy, wheat,
buck-wheat, vegetable crops and oilseeds crops
are also found destroyed by it.

9. Photo courtesy: Suraj Poudel

10. Young larva initially consumes leaf tissue from one side and second or
third instar larva make series of holes in the leaves and eats from the
edge of the leaves inward.
Older larva causes extensive damage often leaving only ribs and
stalks of corn.
Larva burrows into the growing points (buds, whorl) and causes the
growth of corn stopped.
Sometimes, they also burrow into the ear directly through the husk
and feed the kernel.
Many scientists have estimated that without control measures, FAW is
expected to reduce maize yield by 8.3 to 20.6 million tons per year.

11. The larva are becoming resistant to chemicals.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is the best
management practice.

12. Frequent observation and estimation of
pest population and losses should be done in
the corn field.
Collection and killing of larva and moths
should be done manually in the field.
Light traps and pheromone traps should be
installed in the field for the monitoring and
mass trapping of moths.

13. Early and synchronize planting of corn should be done in the
pocket areas.
Corn varieties resistant to FAW and producing enough husk to
cover the ear should be planted.
Mixed and intercropping with trap crops such as legumes will
have less infestation compared to sole cropping of corn.

14. Push and Pull Strategy: In this strategy maize crop is
intercropped with pest-repellent “Push crop” i.e. Desmodium
spp and “Pull crop” i.e. Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum)
is panted in the border which attracts the pest thus, FAW can
be killed by spraying insecticides in Napier grass only.
Use recommended dose of fertilizers.
Proper plowing of field before planting helps to expose the
pupa of FAW to the birds and predators.

15. Push-Pull Strategy in Maize-CIMMYT Photo

16. The predators such as earwigs, ladybird
beetles, ground beetles, assassin and flower
bugs, ants, birds and bats should be
preserved.
Parasitoids such as Telenomus remus,
Chelonus insularis, Cotesia marginiventris,
Trichogramma spp etc can be used for the
management of FAW.
Entomopathogens such as Spodoptera
frugiperda Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus (NPV),
Metarhizium anisoplea and Bacillus
thuringiensis (Bt) can be used to control the
pest.
Neem based bio-pesticides can also be used
for the management of the FAW.

17. Insecticides like,
• Spinetoram @1ml per 2 liters water,
• Spinosad @1ml per 3 liters water,
• Emamectin Benzoate @ 1gm per 2.5L
water and
• Chlorantraniliprole @ 1ml per 2.5L water
Treatment of seeds with Imidacloprid (48%
FS) @ 4ml per kg seeds before sowing also
helps in the management of the pest.