Economic injury level and action thresholds for Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in maize crops

Abstract

Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) is the pest insect that produces the highest losses in maize production in the tropics and neotropics. Its control in Colombia comprises about 10% of the total production costs. The aim of this study was to determine the economic injury level (EIL) and define action thresholds (ATs) for this insect pest in the maize hybrids 30F35R and 30F35HR (with Cry1F protein) in Espinal, Colombia. In two sowing cycles, a completely randomized design was established for each maize hybrid to measure their yield response at four insect population levels (a control without any applications of insecticides and applications at 2, 5, and 10 larvae per 10 plants). For 30F35R, an inverse relationship was found between levels of infestation and yields; meanwhile, for 30F35HR, only during the first cycle this relationship was found. The EIL calculated for 30F35R showed an average of 2.6 and 1.9 larvae per 10 plants in the first and second cycles, respectively, and 2.8 for 30F35HR in the first cycle. Two ATs were established, one in the period from 0 to 20 days after emergence (DAE) and another from 20 to 40 DAE. The threshold for 30F35R from 0 to 20 DAE showed an average of 1.8 larvae per 10 plants in both cycles, while, from 20 to 40 DAE, it was 2.0 and 1.7 in the first and second cycles, respectively. In 30F35HR, the thresholds were 2.1 and 2.5 larvae per 10 plants on average for both periods of the first cycle, respectively. These results can be considered as a tool within integrated pest management that also includes biological and cultural control strategies.

Bio-Efficacy of Diatomaceous Earth, Household Soaps, and Neem Oil against Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Larvae in Benin

“…FAW infestation levels, as well as damage to maize plants, were significant at both sites. First, the overall average numbers of S. frugiperda larvae per plant obtained in our study (0.6–1.5 larvae across treatments and sites) are similar to those obtained by Adéyè et al [ 34 ] but higher than the action thresholds of 1.7–2.5 larvae per 10 plants established by Jaramillo-Barrios et al [ 50 ] in maize crops. Second, it has been reported that FAW infestations during the whorl stage may result in yield losses of up to 73% when 55 to 100% of the plants are infested [ 51 ].…”

Severe Defoliation of Vegetative Maize Plants Does Not Reduce Grain Yield: Further Implications with Action Thresholds

“…Control of fall armyworm and black cutworm with insecticide may be simultaneously reducing other early maize pests (Blanco et al 2014, Oliveira et al 2022). Insecticide seed coating and spray to prevent pest early damage can affect multiple pests (Harrison et al 1980, Evans and Stanly 1990, Marenco et al 1992, Wilde et al 2007, Jaramillo-Barrios et al 2020); therefore, the effect of reduction of herbivory by a single pest might be the effect of insecticides on multiple pests.…”

Spodoptera frugiperda Larvae are More Attracted to Volatile Compounds of Nondamaged Criollo Maize and Hybrid Maize Damaged by Herbivory

“…One of the main insect pests of maize is fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), that feeds mostly on the ear of maize and causes loss of about 500 kg per hectare (Jaramillo et al 1989, Capinera 2017. The most common control method for the pest is application of synthetic insecticide.…”