Impact of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) (J.E. Smith) on small-scale maize farmers and its control strategies in the Limpopo province, South Africa

Abstract

South Africa experienced major outbreaks of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), causing direct damage by feeding on both vegetative and reproductive parts of host plant. The study was conducted to determine the level of impact of fall armyworm on small-scale maize famers after the outbreak of fall armyworm and their control strategies at Ga-Mashashane and Mankweng villages in the Limpopo province. Semi-structured questionnaire was designed to gather information on the damage caused by fall armyworm, economic impact on the local market and control measures on fall armyworm. Using a snowball sampling procedure, 63 small-scale maize farmers from the two villages of the Limpopo province, South Africa, were randomly selected for this study. The results showed that all participants could correctly identify the fall armyworm and reported it as the most important maize pest during 2016–2017 cropping season. The maize yield loss experienced by affected farmers in the 2016–2017 cropping season was slightly lower as compared with the 2015–2016 harvest. These farmers used pesticides as a control measure for fall armyworm. Fall armyworm has become a major pest in South Africa and the tackling of fall armyworm by small-scale farmers and averting yield losses is thus critical. This study contributes to the knowledge on fall armyworm management by small-scale farmers, which is essential to enhancing food security.

Biological Aspects of the Fall Armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) on different Host Plants

“…The larval stage duration differed based on the host plant in which it ranged from 14 to 19.5 days and this in consistent with those of Igyuve et al (2018), Lamsal et al (2020), ELSheikh et al,) 2021( and Mohamed et al )2021).Further, the host plant type affected on the larval duration and changed in each specie which could be the reasons of crop damage as mentioned byAgboyi et al (2019). On tomato and pepper fruits, the duration of larvae found to be longer than other host plants which are in consistent with that found byMakgoba et al (2021) andWu Li-hong et al (2021). The pupal duration did not differ on all host plants with duration less than 8 days which was closed to that reported by Nandita and Sonali (2020) but not closed to that reported bySharanabasappa et al (2018).…”

Intercropping maize with brachiaria can be a double‐edged sword strategy

“…Nonetheless, this higher attack seen in the intercropping treatment was not carried over to the maize reproductive stage, which was somewhat expected. Previous studies have shown that S. frugiperda indeed causes significantly more damage to young leaves than to the ears, suggesting a higher susceptibility of this crop during the 40 days after sowing 23,24 . This may be due to the fact that adults of S. frugiperda seem to prefer to oviposit on younger maize plants as opposed to plants already in the reproductive stage 25 .…”

“…Previous studies have shown that S. frugiperda indeed causes significantly more damage to young leaves than to the ears, suggesting a higher susceptibility of this crop during the 40 days after sowing. 23,24 This may be due to the fact that adults of S. frugiperda seem to prefer to oviposit on younger maize plants as opposed to plants already in the reproductive stage. 25 Furthermore, the maize and brachiaria phenology can also play an important role in the attraction and survival of S.frugiperda.…”

Effect of Rabbit Urine on the Larval Behavior, Larval Mortality, Egg Hatchability, Adult Emergence and Oviposition Preference of the Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith)

“…Indigenous knowledge is a set of practices and skills acquired by local people through the accumulation of experience, informal experiments and an understanding of their environment [39]. Since the arrival of the FAW in Africa [1], its control has often been done through chemical control methods [8]. However, due to the unaffordability of chemical products and their adverse environmental effects, indigenous management options are also used by farmers.…”

“…Since its arrival, the FAW has caused substantial losses in the cereal value chain. For instance, smallholder farmers have been heavily impacted [8]. In Africa, maize yield losses due to the FAW are estimated at 21-53% [7], accounting for about $16 billion in losses annually [9].…”