Identification of suitable attractant for preparation of bait composition based on consumption indices for management of late larval instars of invasive alien pest Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith)

The late larval instars of fall armyworm not only feed voraciously but also require repeated insecticidal applications for their management thereby incurring huge input cost in maize. Management of late age larvae can be done effectively using poison baits which involves attracting the larvae using an effective attractant. Evaluation of different attractants viz., jaggery, toddy and molasses showed toddy as best attractant against fourth instar S. frugiperda. The assessment of suitability of food bait consisting of rice bran (carrier) mixed with attractants viz., jaggery, toddy and molasses further confirmed the suitability of ricebran + toddy as effective food bait against late age larvae of S. frugiperda.