ARS | Publication request: Studies on fall armyworm migration and monitoring

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: September 28, 2012
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith; Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) or fall armyworm is an important agricultural pest of a number of crops in thewestern hemisphere. Two morphologically identical host strains of fall armyworm exist, the rice-strain and corn-strain, with the latter inflicting substantial economic losses in corn in both North and South America. Fall armyworm does not survive severe winters so the infestations affecting North America originate from migrants that overwinter in Florida and Texas. A haplotype method was developed that could distinguish the corn-strain populations from these twolocations and was used to delineate the migratory pathways. The results from five years of surveys will be described. We also examined the population movements of fall armyworm in the Caribbean and the magnitude of genetic interactions, if any, with populations from North, South, and Central America. The results indicate limited interactions between Puerto Rico fall armyworm and those from Brazil or Texas, but the potential for significant exchanges with populations in Florida. A better understanding of fall armyworm populations and their movement is critical for the development of strategies to predict infestation levels and eventually control this economically important pest in the United States