The occurrence of Spodoptera frugiperda attack on maize in West Pasaman District, West Sumatra, Indonesia

Abstract

Maize [Zea mays] is the third most important cereal crop in Asian countries after rice and wheat. In Indonesia, maize is the second food crop after rice. One of the main problems in corn cultivation is pests. Spodoptera frugiperda [Lepidoptera: Noctuidae] is the major pest of maize and polyphagous insect pest attacking more than 80 crops. This study aims to determine the occurrence of heavy by the S. frugiperda in West Pasaman District, West Sumatra. The research method used in this study was a survey or sampling. The results showed that there was a severe attack of a new invasive pest, S. frugiperda on maize crops in West Pasaman. The attack rate of S. frugiperda in West Pasaman District was classified as high, reaching 100.00% at the age of 40 days after planting. Maize was severely damaged in the early stages phase vegetative of maize [approximately 40 days after planting], with 100% of maize infested and each plant was occupied by one until two medium or large larvae. Its means, the vegetative phase is a phase that is vulnerable to the S. frugiperda attack of maize. The high intensity of S. frugiperda attacks is also caused by several factors, like variety, spacing, types of plants around maize fields, and when farmers used pest and disease control techniques. Even a severe attack can cause the maize to fail to grow. This new invasive pest can threaten maize production in Indonesia. Therefore, further research is needed regarding this new invasive pest, S. frugiperda.

Corn Pests and Evaluation of the Implementation of Integrated Pest Management in West Sumatra, Indonesia

“…It feeds on the growing point of maize crop so that buds of maize look cut and leave their feces like sawdust. Further damage due to S. frugiperda in the generative phase can be seen at the end of maize cobs, even sometimes can be found in larvae or pupae S. frugiperda [18]. The attack rate of S. frugiperda in the West Pasaman Regency was high.…”

“…In early 2019, also reported maize in several districts in West Sumatra were attacked by S. frugiperda pests, such as maize in West Pasaman, Padang Pariaman, Solok Regency, and several other areas [43]. Farmers fear this new pest attack because the damage caused by this pest is very high [3], [18]. S. frugiperda was also found in Bandung [15], Lampung [14], and Bengkulu [16].…”

“…The highest number of plants attacked by pests occurred in the vegetative phase in three maize production centers in West Sumatra (Figure 5). This is thought to be due to the relatively young age of corn (less than 35 days) [18]. The vegetative phase is the most vulnerable to S. frugiperda attack on corn plants.…”

Insect predator of spodoptera frugiperda J. E. Smith in Sleman and Gunungkidul regency, Indonesia

“…The corn armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is an insect native to the United States that has spread to the Asian continent, including Indonesia. Spodoptera frugiperda was originally found in the Pasaman area, West Sumatra [1] and has spread to Bandung, Garut, Sumedang [2] to Sleman, Gunungkidul, Bantul, Yogyakarta [3]. Armyworm caterpillars have several host plants, especially from the Graminae group such as corn, rice [4] cotton [5] and sorghum [6].…”

Bioactivity of extracts from Syzygium aromaticum, Annona muricata, and Piper retrofractum against Spodoptera frugiperda J. E. Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

“…The fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda J. E. Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) was first recorded in Indonesia in 2019 as a pest on maize (Zea mays) in West Pasaman Regency, West Sumatra [1], with the attack intensity of FAW is classified as heavy rate [21]. FAW is an invasive insect pest [1,38].…”