Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith (FAO) (Lepidoptera; Pyralidae), is one of a newly Invasive armyworms on corn in Indonesia has been quickly spreading recently. S. frugiperda attack in Indonesia was first discovered in March 2019, in West Sumatra and Lampung. These pests have caused major damage on corn in the United States, which has become one of the important invasive pests that are polyphagous, however, its main host is corn. This study aimed to determine the characteristics of eggs, larvae, pupae and its adults’ stage, as well as the attacks, and the distribution area of Spodoptera frugiperda in Indonesia. Observations and sampling were carried out at locations affected by S. frugiperda attack from March 2019 to May 2020. The characteristics of eggs and larvae were observed in the laboratory using a stereomicroscope (Olympus SZX 12) while pupae, and the adult stage was observed visually. The field observations were carried out on 50 plant samples at each location, using the scouting method, the data collected were the number of larvae and the percentage of attacks. The S. frugiperda was observed placing the eggs in groups under the surface of the leaf, sometimes the eggs are covered with fine hairs. The defining characteristics of S. frugiperda larvae are the inverted Y shape on its caput, and four black dots on the eighth abdominal segment, and the larvae consisting of 5 stages of instars. These characteristics were found at all observation sites (West Sumatra, Lampung, South Sulawesi, South Kalimantan, and East Java. Based on field observations, it is known that S. frugiperda has spread and attacked several regions in Indonesia, namely: Sumatra, Kalimantan, Java and South Sulawesi, with an average between 1.26 - 3 individuals/plant and an average percentage of attacks between 60.12 - 87, 05%. In accordance with the development of FAW attacks in the field that are increasingly widespread, it is better to design and test to support a continuous FAW control program in accordance with IPM principles.

Fall armyworm is a new pest in Indonesia that is currently of concern because of its widespread attack on corn production areas. FAW infestation in young plants will cause damage up to 90% and even corn plants can die. The study on the control of the fall armyworm (FAW) caused by Spodoptera frugiperda was conducted at the Bajeng Technology Research and Assessment Installation, Gowa, which took place from March-August 2020. The treatments were arranged in a randomized block design with 6 treatments repeated 4 times. The treatments consist of 4 synthetic insecticide treatments derived from 4 active ingredients (emamectin benzoate, spinoteram, carbofuran, chlorantraniliprole + tiamethoxam), one vegetable pesticide (nano pesticide; a.i. citronella, geraniol and citronellol) and one control treatment without pesticides. The treatment application was carried out 2 weeks after planting (WAP) then repeated every 2 weeks until the plants were 8 WAP. The treatment was carried out 2 times in the fegetative phase, 2 times in the generative phase. The plot area of each treatment is 5 x 5 m, the spacing is 70 x 20 cm. The results showed that the most effective insecticide to control FAW was Spinetoram followed by Emamectin Benzoate and Chlorantraniliprole. The average percentage of attacks in the spinetoram treatment was: 24.2% at 4 WAP, then 24.9% at 6 WAP, 29.1% and 37.1% at 10 WAP. The highest average yield was obtained in the insecticide treatment Spinetoram (10.7 t/ha) followed by Emamectin Benzoate (9.3 t/ha) and Chlorantraniliprole (8.9 t/ha), while the lowest yield was obtained in the control treatment (5.2 t/ha).

Fall Armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is an invasive pest on maize crop in Indonesia. FAW larvae damage the young leaves, leaf whorl, anthesis stems, and corn cobs. The purpose of the study was to observe the ability of FAW female egg-laying on the HJ 21 variety and the pest damage. The experiment held in the screen house of the Indonesian Cereal Research Institute from June to October 2020. The parameters were the number of egg mass, the number of larvae per plant, and the percentage of damaged leaves. The results showed that the female started to lay the eggs at 10 (day after planting) DAP. There were four egg-laying peaks, especially in the vegetative phase, namely at 10, 13, 19, and 34 DAP with 17, 17, 18, and 15 egg mass respectively. The percentage of damage increase from 14 and 21 DAP (68.9% and 69.3%) and increased to 77 DAP with 98.4%. the observation also showed that all plants were attacked by FAW. The average number of larvae observed at 14, 21, and 77 DAT was 0.86, 0.99, and 2.71, respectively.

Corn as one of the world’s staple food sources has become one of the most important commodities in the world. Indonesia as one of the maize producer countries also strives to improve the quality and quantity of production by genotype varieties that are resistant to specific conditions and are resistant to various pests and diseases. At present, the very high pressure and attack of fall armyworm (FAW) that exceed the economic threshold in maize cultivation is one of the problems that need integrated management, one of which is the formation of varieties that are resistant to FAW. The purpose of this selection test was to obtain the maize genotype resistance of FAW (Spodoptera frugiperda). The research was carried out in Agricultural Technology Research and Assessment Installation, Bajeng, Gowa Regency, South Sulawesi. The total of genetic materials in this test was 13 genotypes (POP 02, POP 03, POP 05, POP 10, POP 11, POP 15, POP 18, POP 21, POP 23, POP 24, POP 26, POP 27, and POP 28) and 2 check varieties (BISI 18 and JH 37). The treatments were arranged in a randomized block design with 3 replicates. The FAW as the test insects was obtained from the environment that had been exposed to it. Observations started 4 weeks after planting (WAP) by observing the total number of damaged plants, the percentage of attacks according to the Davis scale, and the level of plant resistance. All tested genetic materials showed moderate resistance to tolerance to FAW. The highest damage percentage was in the line Pop.18 (46.26%) and the lowest was in POP 11 (7-24%) and POP. 26 (14-26%). The moderate resistant strains obtained were Pop 10, Pop 11, Pop 21, Pop 23, Pop 24, Pop 26, Pop 27, and Pop 28. The results of this study can be continued for the formation of the next generation to obtain resistant strains and can be tested for plant morphology and physiology that trigger the resistance to FAW.