Threats of fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda on sugarcane crop

Abstract

The Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, has more than 80 hosts to continue their life cycle. It is an insect which is native place to America. After reporting of first incidence in Africa during 2016, it has now already spread in more than 100 Countries within a short period of time. In India, it was first reported in Karnataka in 2018 and subsequently found in other States like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Bihar and Odisha. The pest mainly attacks on maize and sugarcane crop. It has caused significant damage on maize in various states of India up to 2020 and also observed in sugarcane in some parts of sugarcane growing areas. Now is the time to think about the pest which can threat to sugarcane crop that may spread on maize to sugarcane crop in the early stage of crop growth period and causes economic damage. So more care, regular monitoring and suitable management strategies is needed to prevent further spread of this pest.