Spodoptera frugiperda: ecology, evolution and management options of an invasive species

Authors: TAY, WEE TEK - Csiro, Black Mountain Laboratories; Meagher, Robert - Rob; CZEPAK, CECILIA - Federal University Of Goias; GROOT, ASTRID - University Of Amsterdam

Submitted to: Annual Review of Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/23/2022
Publication Date: 1/3/2023
Citation: Tay, W., Meagher Jr, R.L., Czepak, C., Groot, A. 2023. Spodoptera frugiperda: ecology, evolution and management options of an invasive species. Annual Review of Entomology. 68:299-317.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: With significant economic losses and food security challenge caused by the fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda’s recent habitat expansion, it is important to clarify contradictory findings relating to this lepidopteran pest’s strain, species and ‘hybrid’ status. In this review, we provide an overview to recap what is known of S. frugiperda in its native geographic ranges, followed by studies from the invaded areas to gain insights into its ecology, specifically its reproductive biology, host plant use, status of insecticide resistance alleles, and biocontrol methods in native and invasive regions. We show that reference to host strains is uninformative in the invasive populations, while multi-directional introduction events likely underpinned its recent rapid spread. As recent genomic analyses show that FAW is much more diverse than previously assumed, and natural selection forces likely differ geographically, region-specific approaches will be needed to control this global pest.