Fall Army Worm
Published Oct 22, 2022
Fall armyworm belongs to Spodoptera frugiperda. The pest caterpillar has caused havoc in most parts of the country, attacking maize, but also prevalent in sorghum and sugar cane. The pest has also devastated other African countries such as Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa, DRC, and Botswana. The pest emerged in Kenya back in early 2017 and was also confirmed in India in July 2018. This has made the EU pick it as a quarantine pest (Exporters be aware) on plant materials.
Day 1-3 – Laying of eggs below the leaves close to the stem junction at the base of a plant.
3-5 days – Larvae emerge and begin to feed. The young larvae create transparent windows since they cannot eat through the leaf. As they mature, they vary in color from light brown to green and black and are about 3-4 cm long.
After 14-22 days – Larvae mature and fall to the ground to pupate. They form a reddish-brown oval cocoon about 2-3 cm in length.
After 8-9 days, adult moths emerge which are about 2.5 cm long and have a wingspan of 3-4cm. This stage is nocturnal and most active during warm humid evenings. After emerging, the female starts to lay eggs 3-4 days later.
Fall armyworm lifecycle is greatly affected by humidity, diet, and temperatures. Higher temperatures speed up the lifecycle.
Fall armyworm control
Fall armyworm in maize
Some of the best modes of action to control fall armyworm are;
Ryanoids e.g flumbendiamine, chlorantraniliprole (ctpr). Examples of brand names include;
- Belt https://www.agropests.co.ke/products?s=belt
- Tihan https://www.agropests.co.ke/products?s=Tihan
- Voliam Targo https://www.agropests.co.ke/products?s=Voliam%20Targo
- Coragen https://www.agropests.co.ke/products?s=coragen
Avermectins e.g Abamectin, Emamectin benzoate. Examples of brand names include;
- Occasion Star https://www.agropests.co.ke/products?s=occasion%20star
- Escort https://www.agropests.co.ke/products?s=escort
- Prove https://www.agropests.co.ke/products?s=prove
- Dynamec https://www.agropests.co.ke/products?s=dynamec
- Benocarb https://www.agropests.co.ke/products?s=benocarb
- Sussita https://www.agropests.co.ke/products?s=sussita
Oxadiazine e.g Indoxacarb such as:
- Occasion Star https://www.agropests.co.ke/products?s=occasion%20star
- Benocarb https://www.agropests.co.ke/products?s=benocarb
- Solaris https://www.agropests.co.ke/products?s=solaris
- Indox https://www.agropests.co.ke/products?s=indox
- Indoking https://www.agropests.co.ke/products?s=indoking
Benzoylphenyl urea e.g Lufenuron such as:
- Match https://www.agropests.co.ke/products?s=match
- Emmaron https://www.agropests.co.ke/products?s=emmaron
- Sussita https://www.agropests.co.ke/products?s=sussita
Aromatic ether e.g Pyriproxyfen such:
Organophosphate e.g Acephate such as:
- Sinophate 75%SP from greenlife https://www.agropests.co.ke/products?s=sinophate
- Lotus 75%SP from Osho chemicals, Orthene pellet from UPL.