Products

Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda)

Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) pheromone lure

Fall Armyworm (FAW) is an invasive and highly destructive pest, first reported in India in 2018. It primarily affects maize (corn) but also damages other cereal and vegetable crops. The larvae feed aggressively on plant tissue, resulting in rapid crop loss. Due to its high reproductive potential and resistance to several insecticides, integrated pest management with pheromone traps, biocontrols, and cultural practices is essential.

Major Host Crops:

  • Maize (Corn) – primary host

  • Sorghum

  • Millets

  • Rice

  • Sugarcane

  • Cotton

  • Tomato

  • Groundnut

Damage Symptoms:

  • “Windowpane” feeding on leaves in early stages

  • Large, ragged holes in leaves (especially whorl)

  • Presence of frass (insect waste) in whorl or leaf axils

  • Damaged central shoots and tassels

  • Feeding on cobs and ears in advanced stages

👉 Severe infestations can cause yield losses of up to 50–80% in maize if not managed early.

Lifecycle of Fall Armyworm:

  1. Eggs are laid in masses on the underside of leaves, covered with hair-like scales

  2. Larvae pass through 6 instars and feed voraciously

  3. Pupation occurs in soil or crop debris

  4. Adults are medium-sized brown moths with white markings on wings

🕒 Total lifecycle completes in 30–40 days, and 6–8 generations can occur in a single cropping season.

Monitoring & Control Using Pheromone Traps:

✅ Recommended Trap Types:

  • Wota-T Trap

  • Bucket Trap / Funnel Trap

✅ Lure Type:

  • Spodoptera frugiperda sex pheromone lure

✅ Trap Density:

  • 5–8 traps per acre for monitoring

  • Start monitoring within 7–10 days of sowing

  • Monitor trap catches weekly to track population buildup

🟢 Traps enable early detection of adult moths and help plan control measures before larval damage begins.

Other IPM Strategies for FAW:

🌱 Cultural Control:

  • Intercropping maize with pulses (e.g., cowpea)

  • Deep ploughing to destroy pupae

  • Removal of crop residues after harvest

Economic Threshold Level (ETL):

  • 5% plant infestation or 1 egg mass per 20 plants

  • 10 or more moths per trap per night indicates risk of outbreak

Why Choose Pheromonetrap.in Traps for FAW Control?

  • Scientifically proven FAW-specific lures

  • Weather-resistant, field-tested trap designs

  • Long-lasting lures (30–45 days)

  • Compatible with organic and conventional farming systems

  • Affordable and easy to deploy