Battling invaders with allies: Sustainable control of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda

Summary

The Fall Armyworm (FAW) is a harmful insect pest that originated from the Americas but has spread to over 80 countries since 2016, causing substantial crop and economic damage for farmers. Traditional chemical pesticides are damaging the environment and losing effectiveness due to pests developing resistance.

This study investigated the utilization of natural enemies, specifically entomopathogenic baculoviruses and fungi, for eco-friendly management of FAW. The study suggests that this virus could serve as a productive substitute for chemical pesticides when utilized correctly.

The thesis also examines how timing the virus application can improve its efficiency while reducing damage to crops. Moreover, the research evaluates the likelihood of the pest developing resistance to the virus and the consequences of combining the virus with other methods of organic pest control. Thorough planning is crucial when utilizing these biological solutions for crop protection, as highlighted by the results.