After discovering Fall Armyworm – an invasive agricultural pest – in Karnataka, agricultural scientists have raised an alarm as it has the potential to spread further.
About:
Scientific name: Spodoptera frugiperda.
Distribution:
Fall Armyworm is an insect native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas.
It was first detected in Central and Western Africa in 2016. However, because of trade and the moth’s strong flying ability, it has spread to 44 African countries.
Its discovery in Karnataka is the first reported finding of the pest in Asia. However, India’s tropical climate could allow the pest to thrive and spread further.
Damage to crop:
In its larva stage, it can cause significant damage to crops, if not well managed.
It primarily affects maize, but can feed on more than 80 additional species of plants (rice, millet, sugarcane, vegetable crops and cotton).
Control:
It can be controlled with insecticides (like lambda-cyhalothrin), through natural predators (such as coccinellid beetles which feed on FAW) or by inter-cropping.
Farmer in the Americas, using Sustainable management practices have been managing FAW in their crops for many centuries.
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