Fall armyworm larva on corn. Photo: Billy R. Wiseman, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org
Fall armyworm research
Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is a noctuid moth native to the Americas. It has undergone a major range expansion in the last few years, invading Africa, the Middle East, Asia and now Australia. From its first occurrence in northern Queensland in 2020, it has spread throughout northern and eastern Australia to become a significant pest of corn, sorghum and other crops.
We have been involved, along with staff from cesar Australia and other organisations, in a study of potential impacts and management strategies for this pest, funded by GRDC. We are also working with AgBiTech in Australia and Brazil, and with Macquarie University to develop semiochemical strategies that will contribute to IPM approaches that will give farmers new options to manage the pest, which is proving difficult to control with conventional insecticide treatments.
Estimated annual growth of fall armyworm populations around the world. Dots indicate seasonal range expansion. From Maino JL, Schouten R, Overton K, Day R, Ekesi S, Bett B, Barton M, Gregg PC, Umina PA & Reynolds OL (2021) Regional and seasonal activity predictions for fall armyworm in Australia. Current Research in Insect Science 1, 100010 .
Male fall armyworm moths approach a trap baited with female sex pheromone, filmed at night with infra-red light. We are working with Macquarie University to develop improved methods for monitoring numbers of both male and female fall armyworm adults.