Fall armyworm

• Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is a new invasive pest in India, damaging maize crop. The caterpillars mainly feed on young maize plants, cobs and tassel.
• They have also been recorded causing damage on sorghum and pearl millet (Bajra).

Common name of the pest

Maize Fall armyworm, Leaf whorl armyworm

Scientific name

Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith)

Identification Queries

• Does it have a dark head with an inverted Y-shape dmarking on the front (bluecircle)?
• Does it have four dark spots forming a square towards end of the abdomen (red circle)?

Damage symptoms

• Fall armyworm caterpillars feed inside whorls on young plants.
• Young caterpillars feed by scrapping the leaves, resulting in formation of white, semi-transparent patches on the leaves.
• Damage by grown up larvae is characterized by torn appearance on leaves and presence of moist saw dust like frass near the whorls on upper leaves of the plant.
• Deep feeding in the whorl may destroy developing tassels.
• Caterpillars enter the cob and feed on developing kernels.

Biology

Management

Control measures

Natural Enemies