Fall armyworm research, development and extension for horticulture

From a collection of 1,900 fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) larvae in Western Australia and the Northern Territory, researchers identified ten species of larval parasitoids as well as two species of egg parasitoids. Among the larval parasitoids, Cotesia ruficrus and Exorista xanthaspis were found to be the most abundant, accounting for 56.14% and 50%, respectively. The two egg parasitoid species recorded had parasitism rates of 7.81% for Trichogramma pretiosum and 10.16% for Telenomus remus. Since its detection in Australia in 2020, management of the fall armyworm has primarily relied on synthetic insecticides; however, the presence of resistant genes necessitates the adoption of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. These results emphasize the potential for both conservation and augmentative biological control, thus contributing to sustainable pest management in Australia’s horticultural systems.

Image: Chelonus trojanus egg-larval parasitoid

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