scholarly journals Viruses of the Fall Armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda: A Review with Prospects for Biological Control

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 2220
Author(s):  
Ahmed G. Hussain ◽  
Jörg T. Wennmann ◽  
Georg Goergen ◽  
Astrid Bryon ◽  
Vera I.D. Ros
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽  
Harmful Effect ◽  
Geographic Origin ◽  
Fall Armyworm ◽  
Western Hemisphere ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Yield Reduction ◽  
Pest Species ◽  
Management Options

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, is a native pest species in the Western hemisphere. Since it was first reported in Africa in 2016, FAW has spread throughout the African continent and is now also present in several countries in Asia as well as Australia. The invasion of FAW in these areas has led to a high yield reduction in crops, leading to huge economic losses. FAW management options in the newly invaded areas are limited and mainly rely on the use of synthetic pesticides. Since there is a risk of resistance development against pesticides in addition to the negative environmental and human health impacts, other effective, sustainable, and cost-efficient control alternatives are desired. Insect pathogenic viruses fulfil these criteria as they are usually effective and highly host-specific with no significant harmful effect on beneficial insects and non-target organisms. In this review, we discuss all viruses known from FAW and their potential to be used for biological control. We specifically focus on baculoviruses and describe the recent advancements in the use of baculoviruses for biological control in the native geographic origin of FAW, and their potential use in the newly invaded areas. Finally, we identify current knowledge gaps and suggest new avenues for productive research on the use of viruses as a biopesticide against FAW.

scholarly journals A system dynamics model for pests and natural enemies interactions

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bonoukpoè Mawuko Sokame ◽  
Henri E. Z. Tonnang ◽  
Sevgan Subramanian ◽  
Anani Y. Bruce ◽  
Thomas Dubois ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
System Dynamics ◽  
Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽  
Busseola Fusca ◽  
Fall Armyworm ◽  
Sesamia Calamistis ◽  
System Thinking ◽  
Pest Species ◽  
Causal Loop Diagram ◽  
System Dynamics Model ◽  
Dynamics Model

AbstractStemborers (Busseola fusca, Sesamia calamistis and Chilo partellus), the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) and associated parasitoids constitute an interacting system in maize fields in Kenya. This work aims at developing and evaluating models that represent the evolution of those interactions by applying system thinking and system dynamics approaches with its archetypes [causal loop diagram (CLD), reinforcing (R) and balancing (B)] to analyse the population of these multi-species systems. The software Vensim PLE 8.0.9 was used to implement the models and carry out the simulations of single- and multi-species systems. The results showed that when a single pest species with its associated parasitoids interact with the host plant, the species was able to establish and sustain by cyclical relationship between populations of the pest and the associated parasitoids. However, in multi- pest species systems, dominance of S. frugiperda and C. partellus over B. fusca and S. calamistis was observed, but without extinction. However, there was a likelihood for B. fusca being displaced by C. partellus. Overall, the models predict the co-existence of fall armyworm with stemborer species as an additional pest of maize in Africa that need to be considered henceforth in designing IPM strategies in maize.

Virulence and Genetic Characterization of Six Baculovirus Strains Isolated From Different Populations of Spodoptera Frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingrid Zanella-Saenz ◽  
Elisabeth A. Herniou ◽  
Jorge E. Ibarra ◽  
Ma.Cristina Del Rincón-Castro ◽  
Ilse Alejandra Huerta-Arredondo
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Cell Cultures ◽  
Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽  
Fall Armyworm ◽  
The United States ◽  
Infection Mechanisms ◽  
Different Populations

Abstract Fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith, 1797), is a polyphagous, voracious, and economically important agricultural pest. Biological control of FAW is a strategy that must be further explored. This study evaluated six baculovirus strains isolated from infected FAW larvae from Mexico, Argentina, Honduras, and the United States. Five alphabaculoviruses (SfNPV-An2, SfNPV-Arg, SfNPV-Fx, SfNPV-Ho and SfNPV-Sin) and one betabaculovirus (SfGV-RV), were tested against FAW larvae, showing a wide diversity of virulence levels among strains when their estimated LC50s were compared, being SfNPVArg, SfNPV-Ho and SfNPV-Fx more virulent than SfNPV-An 2 , SfNPV-Sin and SfGV-RV. To determine any virulence difference in vitro studies of these isolates, Sf9 cell cultures were used. Interestingly, only ODVs from four of the test SfNPV strains showed infectivity on Sf9 cell cultures, and some differences in virulence were observed. Genomic restriction analyses and partial sequences of lef-8, lef-9 , and polh/granulin genes showed little variability among alphabaculoviruses, both, among them and with previously reported sequences. However, sequences from SfGV-RV were closer to previously reported sequences from the SfGVVG008 strain than the SfGV-Arg and SfGV-VG014 strains. The great difference in the in vivo virulence was not correlated with great similarity among the isolates. The characterization of these six baculoviruses isolates offers the basis for exploring their potential as biological control agents against S. frugiperda, as well the initial studies on their specific infection mechanisms, evolution, and ecology.

scholarly journals A Way Forward to Combat Insect Pest in Rice

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
MP Ali ◽  
B Nessa ◽  
MT Khatun ◽  
MU Salam ◽  
MS Kabir
Keyword(s):  
Yield Loss ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Insect Pest ◽  
Brown Planthopper ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Rice Production ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Pest Species ◽  
Management Options

The damage caused by insect pest is the continual factor for the reduction of rice production. To date, 232 rice insect pest species are identified in Bangladesh and more than 100 species of insects are considered pests in rice production systems globally, but only about 20 - 33 species can cause significant economic loss. The major goal of this study is to explore all the possible ways of developed and proposed technologies for rice insect pests management and minimize economic losses. Insect pests cause 20% average yield loss in Asia where more than 90% of the world's rice is produced. In Bangladesh, outbreak of several insects such as rice hispa, leafroller, gallmidge, stem borers and brown planthopper (BPH) occurs as severe forms. Based on previous reports, yield loss can reach upto 62% in an outbreak situation due to hispa infestation. However, BPH can cause 44% yield loss in severe infestested field. To overcome the outbreaks in odd years and to keep the loss upto 5%, it is necessary to take some preventive measures such as planting of resistant or tolerant variety, stop insecticide spraying at early establishment of rice, establish early warning and forecasting system, avoid cultivation of susceptible variety and following crop rotation. Subsequent quick management options such as insecticidal treatment for specific insect pest should also be broadcasted through variety of information systems. Advanced genomic tool can be used to develop genetically modified insect and plants for sustainable pest management. In addition, to stipulate farmers not use insecticides at early crop stgae and minimize general annualized loss, some interventions including training rice farmers, regular field monitoring, digitalization in correct insect pests identification and their management (example; BRRI rice doctor mobile app), and demonstration in farmers field. Each technology itself solely or combination of two or more or all the packages can combat the insect pests, save natural enemies, harvest expected yield and contribute to safe food production in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Rice J. 25 (1) : 1-22, 2021

scholarly journals An updated global COI barcode reference data set for Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) and first record of this species in Bhutan

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiran Mahat ◽  
Andrew Mitchell ◽  
Tshelthrim Zangpo
Keyword(s):  
Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽  
Reference Data ◽  
Dna Barcode ◽  
Fall Armyworm ◽  
First Record ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Pest Species ◽  
Maize Crop ◽  
Data Set

AbstractWe report the first detection of Fall Armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith, 1797), in Bhutan. FAW feeds on more than 300 plant species and is a serious pest of many. It has been spreading through Africa since 2016 and Asia since 2018. In Bhutan, this species was first detected in maize fields in the western part of the country in September 2019 and subsequently found infesting maize crop in southern parts of the country in December 2019 and April 2020. Using morphological and molecular techniques the presence of the first invading populations of S. frugiperda in Bhutan is confirmed through this study. We present an updated reference DNA barcode data set for FAW comprising 374 sequences, which can be used to reliably identify this serious pest species, and discuss some of the reasons why such compiled reference data sets are necessary, despite the publicly availability of the underlying data. We also report on a second armyworm species, the Northern Armyworm, Mythimna separata (Walker, 1865), in rice, maize and other crops in eighteen districts of Bhutan.

Effect of Noctuidonema guyanense (Nematoda: Acugutturidae) on the Longevity of Feral Male Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Moths2

2000 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 259-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. G. Marti ◽  
C. E. Rogers
Keyword(s):  
Age Differences ◽  
Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽  
Deleterious Effect ◽  
Fall Armyworm ◽  
Western Hemisphere ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
New Host ◽  
C 30 ◽  
Lepidoptera Noctuidae ◽  
Apparent Age

Noctuidonema guyanense Remillet and Silvain is an ectoparasitic nematode of certain species of adult Lepidoptera, particularly Noctuidae, in the Western Hemisphere. It is transferred to a new host when the insects mate. Survival of infested and uninfested feral adult males of Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), the fall armyworm, was compared at three different temperature regimens (20°C, 30°C, and 30/20°C) at 14:10 L/D at 80% RH. Apparent age differences were controlled by pairing moths having the same amount of scale loss. Overall mean nematode infestations of 239.3 and 0 in infested and uninfested groups produced significantly different mean longevity of 3.7 and 6.2 days, respectively. At 20°C, survival of both groups increased to 6.2 and 13.3 days, but remained significantly different. The results demonstrate a deleterious effect of Noctuidonema infestation on longevity of feral adult male S. frugiperda.

scholarly journals Rapid identification of the invasive fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) using species-specific primers in multiplex PCR

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheng-Lung Tsai ◽  
I.-Hsuan Chu ◽  
Ming-Hsun Chou ◽  
Theeraphap Chareonviriyaphap ◽  
Ming-Yao Chiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Mainland China ◽  
Fall Armyworm ◽  
The United States ◽  
Rapid Identification ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Specific Primers ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Species Specific

Abstract The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith), is a major pest native to the Americas. A recent invasion of FAWs from Africa eastward to South Asia, the Indochina Peninsula, and mainland China has received much attention due to the considerable economic losses in agriculture. FAWs can rapidly colonise a new area, likely due to the wide range of host plants, good flying capability, and high egg production. Therefore, a convenient, quick, and accurate tool for FAW identification is urgently required to establish a FAW invasion management strategy. In this study, FAW-specific primers were designed to recognise FAWs on the basis of internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1). The results revealed the accurate FAW recognition of the three congeneric species and eight common corn lepidopteran pests, especially at their larval stage. Furthermore, species-specific primers have confirmed their efficacy by using 69 FAW specimens from Taiwan, Thailand, and the United States, with a 96% success rate, excluding 3 decayed specimens. By using the simple, reliable, and convenient FAW-specific primers, a pest management programme can be developed not only to reduce sequencing costs and experimental time from 2 days to 4 h, but eradicate the FAW as soon as it enters a new area.

scholarly journals Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda Infestations in East Africa: Assessment of Damage and Parasitism

Insects ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Birhanu Sisay ◽  
Josephine Simiyu ◽  
Esayas Mendesil ◽  
Paddy Likhayo ◽  
Gashawbeza Ayalew ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
East Africa ◽  
Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽  
Fall Armyworm ◽  
Egg Parasitoid ◽  
Leaf Damage ◽  
Parasitism Rate ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Larval Parasitoid ◽  
Percent Parasitism

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, threatens maize production in Africa. A survey was conducted to determine the distribution of FAW and its natural enemies and damage severity in Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania in 2017 and 2018. A total of 287 smallholder maize farms (holding smaller than 2 hectares of land) were randomly selected and surveyed. FAW is widely distributed in the three countries and the percent of infested maize fields ranged from 33% to 100% in Ethiopia, 93% to 100% in Tanzania and 100% in Kenya in 2017, whereas they ranged from 80% to 100% and 82.2% to 100% in Ethiopia and Kenya, respectively, in 2018. The percent of FAW infestation of plants in the surveyed fields ranged from 5% to 100%. In 2017, the leaf damage score of the average of the fields ranged from 1.8 to 7 (9 = highest level of damage), while 2018, it ranged from 1.9 to 6.8. In 2017, five different species of parasitoids were recovered from FAW eggs and larvae. Cotesia icipe (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) was the main parasitoid recorded in Ethiopia, with a percent parasitism rate of 37.6%. Chelonus curvimaculatus Cameron (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) was the only egg-larval parasitoid recorded in Kenya and had a 4.8% parasitism rate. In 2018, six species of egg and larval parasitoids were recovered with C. icipe being the dominant larval parasitoid, with percentage parasitism ranging from 16% to 42% in the three surveyed countries. In Kenya, Telenomus remus (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) was the dominant egg parasitoid, causing up to 69.3% egg parasitism as compared to only 4% by C. curvimaculatus. Although FAW has rapidly spread throughout these three countries, we were encouraged to see a reasonable level of biological control in place. Augmentative biological control can be implemented to suppress FAW in East Africa.

scholarly journals Redescription of Campoletis sonorensis (Cameron, 1886) (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Campopleginae), parasitoid of Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) in Brazil

2015 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 989-998 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. F. Camargo ◽  
R. A. Brito ◽  
A. M. Penteado-Dias
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽  
Fall Armyworm ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Parasitoid Wasps ◽  
Correct Identification ◽  
Similar Species ◽  
Potential Candidate ◽  
Campoletis Sonorensis ◽  
Lepidoptera Noctuidae

Abstract The fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera; Noctuidae) is a voracious pest of numerous crops of economic importance throughout the New World. In Brazil, its larvae are attacked by several species of parasitoid wasps, making them potential candidate as biological control agents against this pest. A survey of the parasitoid fauna on S. frugiperda in maize crops throughout Brazil reveals two species of Campoletis, which are morphologicaly very similar species. In this paper we combine these data with pictures from the type material of C. sonorensis and C. flavicincta, as well as their descriptions to provide a redescription to Campoletis sonorensis (Cameron, 1886) using for this both morphological characters and DNA Barcoding (Hebert et al., 2003) information, in an attempt to help with the correct identification of the taxa to improve biological control studies.

scholarly journals Eiphosoma laphygmae, a classical solution for the biocontrol of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tabea Allen ◽  
Marc Kenis ◽  
Lindsey Norgrove
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Fall Armyworm ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Classical Biological Control ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
North East ◽  
Parasitism Rates

AbstractThe fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, an American Lepidoptera, is invasive in Africa and Asia and currently one of the most damaging cereal pests in the tropics. The ichneumonid parasitoid, Eiphosoma laphygmae, is a potential classical biological control agent. We assessed existing knowledge on biology, identified natural distributions, collated reported parasitism rates from field studies and determined which other parasitoids co-occurred. We discussed the suitability of E. laphygmae for classical biological control as well as identified limitations and knowledge gaps. We conducted a systematic literature review and had 185 hits, retaining 52 papers. Reports on the natural distribution of E. laphygmae were restricted to the American tropics, ranging from North-East Mexico to Sao Paulo State, Brazil. There were only two single and unconfirmed records of it on other hosts, suggesting that the parasitoid may be specific to S. frugiperda, but this needs confirmation. In fields where E. laphygmae occurred naturally, it was the second most important contributor to fall armyworm mortality, after the braconid Chelonus insularis. On average, E. laphygmae parasitized 4.5% of fall armyworm in field studies. The highest parasitism rates were from Costa Rica (13%) and Minas Gerais, Brazil (14.5%). However, these parasitism rates are probably largely underestimated because of likely biases in sampling and parasitism rate calculations. Eiphosoma laphygmae appeared to establish better in more diverse, weedy systems. As African farming systems often have high diversity, this may favour the establishment and parasitism of E. laphygmae if eventually introduced as a classical biological control agent.

scholarly journals Evidence that a major subpopulation of fall armyworm found in the Western Hemisphere is rare or absent in Africa, which may limit the range of crops at risk of infestation

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodney N. Nagoshi
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Genetic Markers ◽  
Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽  
Fall Armyworm ◽  
Western Hemisphere ◽  
Mitochondrial Markers ◽  
Major Threat ◽  
Eastern Hemisphere ◽  
Plant Hosts ◽  
Risk Of Fall

AbstractThe introduction and establishment of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in Africa presents a major threat to agriculture in that continent and potentially to the entire Eastern Hemisphere. The species is subdivided into two subpopulations called the R-strain and C-strain that differ in their distribution on different plant hosts. This means that the scope of the economic risk posed by invasive fall armyworm is influenced by whether one or both strains are present. Multiple studies have found mitochondrial markers diagnostic of the two strains throughout Africa but there is substantial disagreement with a nuclear strain marker that makes conclusions about strain composition uncertain. In this study the issue of whether both strains are present in Africa was tested by an assay that can detect strain-biased mating behaviors. Western Hemisphere fall armyworm consistently showed evidence of strain-specific assortative mating in the field that was not found in surveys from multiple locations in Africa. The absence of strain mating biases and the disagreements between the strain diagnostic genetic markers indicates that the R-strain is rare (<1% of the population) or absent in Africa. Instead, it appears that the African fall armyworm populations are dominated by two groups, the C-strain and the descendants of interstrain hybrids. These results suggest that plant hosts associated with the R-strain may not be at high risk of fall armyworm infestation in Africa.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document