Jurnal Lahan Suboptimal
Vol. 14 No. 2 (2025): JLSO

Biology and management of the insect pest threatens global maize production, fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda: an Africa and Asia perspective

Ibrahim Sani (Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, P.M.B., 2218, Katsina, Nigeria)
Mohammed Suleiman (Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, P.M.B., 2218, Katsina, Nigeria)
Abubakar Samaila (Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, P.M.B., 2218, Katsina, Nigeria)
Abbati Nasiru (Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, P.M.B., 2218, Katsina, Nigeria)
Kabir Abdullahi Bindawa (Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, P.M.B., 2218, Katsina, Nigeria)
Aminu Musa (Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, P.M.B., 2218, Katsina, Nigeria)
Zakariya Sani (Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Life Science, Federal University Dutsinma, P.M.B., 5001, Dutsinma, Katsina State Nigeria)



Article Info

Publish Date
01 Oct 2025

Abstract

Fall armyworms, Spodoptera frugiperda (J./E. Smith) are among the most serious insect pests in maize and many other crops, particularly in some Asian countries and sub-Saharan Africa. The study aimed to explores the significance of the biological characters and the management strategies to reduce damage caused by FAW. Understanding this destructive insect pest will guide maize growers and agricultural professionals to develop the most effective and sustainable FAW control methods. The caterpillar fed on the leaves and interferes with pollination and fertilization processes, significantly reducing the yield losses in maize, which was one of the main staple food for most smallholder farmers in Africa. Due to their immediate action, synthetic chemical pesticides were the most conventionally used in the control of FAW, even though this method had many weaknesses, including environmental pollution, food safety concerns, insecticide resistance, and effects on non-target organisms. In recent years, biological control agents (BCAs) have been developed as an alternative to the conventional use of chemical pesticides in integrated pest management (IPM) systems of FAW pests. The present BCAs of FAW were parasitoids, predators, and entomopathogens.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

jlso

Publisher

Subject

Agriculture, Biological Sciences & Forestry

Description

Jurnal Lahan Suboptimal: Journal of Suboptimal Lands (JLSO) (p-ISSN 2252-6188; e-ISSN 2302-3015) publishes original research papers, literature reviews, and short communications that cover on topics relevant to suboptimal lands: freshwater swamps, tidal lowlands, peatlands, dry and dry acid lands, ...