FALL ARMYWORM

FALL ARMYWORM

Spodoptera frugiperda

The Fall Armyworm is in fact not a worm, but a caterpillar in its larval stage. It will then turn into a brown moth with a wing-span of approximately 4cm. The name comes from the way the larvae gather together in large numbers on leaves when feeding. They can be easily spotted in small crops while doing this.

Crops at Risk

Vegetable                             Grass/Cereal                 Root Crops        Fruits

1. Corn                            1. Sugarcane                1. Taro             1. oranges
2. Sweetcorn                   2. Sorghum                                          2. Pawpaw
3. Broccoli
4. Head Cabbage
5. Bok Choy

Fall Armyworms are also known to attack more than 350 species of plants including ornamental and weeds.

Prevention/Management

Natural Predator                      Organic Pesticide                 Disposal

1. Parasitic wasp             1. Dipel                            1. Pick infected leaves & dispose in fire
2. Ladybird beetle           2. Neem
3. Hoover flies                3. Match
4. Earwigs
5. Birds

Adult Brown moth