A review on fall army worm Spodoptera frugiperda (J E Smith) invasion in Ghana: Current status

The fall army worm Spodoptera frugiperda (J E Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) which invaded Africa in 2016 continue to pose food security threat due to its destructive effect on maize. This article assesses current research outputs, management strategies and future projections. Levels of infestation vary across districts, ranging from 12 to 88% with corresponding leaf damage score of 2 to 7 and larval density of 0.16 – 1.44/ plant on farmers’ maize field. Infestation and damage levels were higher in 2021 than in 2020 possibly due to gradual withdrawal of free insecticide by government. Several indigenous practices were employed by farmers during early invasion but synthetic insecticides usage assumed high acceptance. Some commercial microbials and botanicals showed significant efficacy. Results from indigenous entomopathogenic nematodes and fungi are satisfactory and are under field validation. A number of predators and parasitoids identified have shown varied level of suppression. Mass release of parasitoids, complemented with entomopathogens will put the infestation below economic threshold levels in most maize fields.