Biology of fall armyworm – an introduction

Abstract

Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a voracious pest of various crops, such as maize, rice, and sugarcane. Originally from the tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, it recently spread around the world. As populations can be resistant to pesticides, integrated pest management (IPM) is important, relying on a combination of chemical, physical, and biological control. This special issue of Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata includes both fundamental and applied studies on fall armyworm biology, monitoring, and control, setting the stage for the development of effective, sustainable strategies to protect crops against fall armyworm, both in its native range and in areas where it has invaded.