Incidence and distribution of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in different geographical regions of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

Abstract

Fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is an invasive pest of maize, threatening the global food security. An attempt has been made on the occurrence and intensity of S. frugiperda in commercially grown maize fields of different geographical regions in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana during 2019-2021. Results revealed that the infestation of fall armyworm ranged from 14.33 ± 2.33 to 45.66 ± 1.45 per cent. Simultaneously, highest per cent incidence was observed in Telangana (35.72 ± 2.66) followed by in Andhra Pradesh (26.51± 1.62 per cent) and Odisha (23.16 ± 1.97). The mean numbers of larvae recorded per fifty plants were 15.60 ± 1.21, 15.89 ± 0.83 and 20.91 ± 1.47 in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, respectively. From the above study, it was evident that fall armyworm, S. frugiperda has spread over the Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and can inflict potential damage to the maize crop in these southern India states.