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Spodoptera frugiperda: Current Situation and Future Prospects

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A special issue of Insects (ISSN 2075-4450). This special issue belongs to the section "Insect Pest and Vector Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2025) | Viewed by 8724

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Orcial Ceolin Bortolotto

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Guest Editor

Department of Crop Protection, Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, Ponta Grossa 84030-900, Brazil
Interests: insects; (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae); Spodoptera frugiperda

Dr. Juliano de Bastos Pazini

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Instituto Federal Goiano, Urutaí, Goiás 75790000, Brazil
Interests: chemical control; biological control; natural enemy; integrated pest management

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Spodoptera frugiperda is one of the main crop pests in the world, causing damage to plants of various families, affecting leaves, pods, flowers, and stems. Currently, this insect has been one of the challenges in the field of crops that requires intensive management. Therefore, this Special Issue will address resistance management, pest bioecology in different crops, biological control (pathogens, predators, and parasitoids), behavior control (semiochemical), and the use of oil and plant extracts and new technologies (RNAi and CRISPR) in pest management. Basic and applied research is encouraged to be submitted to this Special Issue. Bibliographic review works will also be evaluated. We look forward to receiving your submissions.

Prof. Dr. Orcial Ceolin Bortolotto
Dr. Juliano de Bastos Pazini
Guest Editors

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Keywords

fall armyworm
maize pests
integrated pest management
alternative control
chemical control

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 5256 KB

Open AccessArticle

Fumigant Toxicity of Essential Oils of the Lamiaceae Family Against Spodoptera frugiperda Larvae

by Luis Mario Ayala-Guerrero, Francisco Javier Mondragón-Rojas, Anselmo De Jesús Cabrera-Hidalgo, María de los Ángeles Bivian-Hernández, Mayra Beatriz Gómez-Patiño, Petra Andrade-Hoyos, Aarón Mendieta-Moctezuma and Patricia Ibarra-Torres

Insects 2026, 17(2), 162; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects17020162 - 2 Feb 2026

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 963

Abstract

Spodoptera frugiperda is a major pest affecting maize production worldwide, and its control relies heavily on synthetic insecticides, which generate environmental risks and resistance. Essential oils (EOs) represent a promising alternative due to their biodegradability and the biological activity of their terpenoid constituents. This study evaluated the chemical composition, larvicidal activity, and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory potential of the EOs from Origanum vulgare, Lavandula dentata, and Mentha piperita against S. frugiperda larvae at the L1, L2, and L4 instars. Chemical characterization by GC–MS revealed distinct chemotypes: a phenolic/terpenoid profile in O. vulgare, a 1,8-cineole-type profile in L. dentata, and a menthol-rich composition in M. piperita. Larvicidal assays showed dose- and stage-dependent responses, and M. piperita EO tended to produce the most robust mortality across instars and times, consistently producing high mortality (75%) at 90 µg·mL⁻¹ air concentration. AChE inhibition assays revealed that carvacrol and menthone were the most active constituents with IC₅₀ values of 312–330 µg·mL⁻¹. Molecular docking supported these results, as carvacrol and menthone showed the most favorable interactions with amino acid residues of the AChE catalytic site. These data support their suitability as candidates for integrated pest management programs targeting S. frugiperda. Future research should focus on formulation strategies, synergistic combinations, detoxification mechanisms, and field validation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spodoptera frugiperda: Current Situation and Future Prospects)

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16 pages, 691 KB

Open AccessArticle

Toxicity and Residual Effect of Toxic Baits on Adults of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): Implications for Pest Management

by José Gomes da Silva Filho, Otavio Ribeiro Duarte, Paloma Stüpp, Júlia Peralta Ferreira, Lígia Caroline Bortoli, Juarez da Silva Alves, Larissa Pasqualotto, Michele Trombin de Souza, Mireli Trombin de Souza, Vanessa Nogueira Soares, Juliano Pazini, Leandro do Padro Ribeiro, Ruben Machota Junior and Daniel Bernardi

Insects 2026, 17(1), 108; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects17010108 - 18 Jan 2026

Viewed by 826

Abstract

Spodoptera frugiperda is a major agricultural pest both in Brazil and worldwide, with widespread resistance to synthetic insecticides. This study evaluated the toxicity and residual activity of toxic bait formulations combining 17 insecticides with the plant-based kairomone attractant Noctovi^® 43SB against S. frugiperda adults. Bioassays were conducted with 48 h-old, food-deprived adults. Toxicity was assessed by incorporating insecticides at 2% concentration into Noctovi^® 43SB. Residual activity was measured by applying toxic baits on cotton leaves and testing at 3, 7, 15, 21, and 30 days after application (DAA). Insecticides based on methomyl, spinetoram, spinosad, indoxacarb, malathion, and zeta-cypermethrin induced over 95% mortality. Methomyl showed the greatest toxicity (LC₅₀ = 322 mg a.i. L⁻¹; LC₉₀ = 1160 mg a.i. L⁻¹). Eleven insecticides maintained residual activity (≥70%) after 30 DAA, except malathion. Overall, toxic bait formulations combining Noctovi^® 43SB with methomyl, spinosad, spinetoram, or indoxacarb proved highly effective, offering both rapid and prolonged control of S. frugiperda adults. These findings highlight attract-and-kill as a promising tool for sustainable management of this pest. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spodoptera frugiperda: Current Situation and Future Prospects)

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17 pages, 1197 KB

Open AccessArticle

Parasitic Recognition Behavior of Telenomus remus Nixon, an Important Egg Parasitoid of Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith)

by Xiaolong Ma, Yujie Luo, Qiufen Zhao, Ruohan Zhang, Haiyan Lin, Jian Huang and Zhuhong Wang

Insects 2026, 17(1), 93; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects17010093 - 14 Jan 2026

Viewed by 566

Abstract

T. remus is an important egg parasitoid of S. frugiperda, serving as a significant role in its biological control. This study systematically examined the host discrimination behavior of T. remus. The parasitic process comprises several distinct behavioral stages: host searching, antennal tapping and examination, ovipositor probing, “8”-shaped marking, and grooming. Following successful oviposition, females perform a characteristic “8”-shaped marking on the host egg surface with their ovipositor, which deters conspecific females from parasitizing the same host. T. remus exhibited a pronounced ability to discriminate parasitized hosts, utilizing both antennae and ovipositor to avoid superparasitism. As host density increased, the searching time of T. remus decreased while the parasitism rate increased, eventually stabilizing. Parasitic discrimination was significantly influenced by oviposition experience: experienced females effectively recognized marked host eggs across a temperature range of 16 to 36 °C and time intervals of 0 to 12 h post oviposition. In contrast, naive females exhibited discrimination ability only at lower temperature (16 °C) and immediately following oviposition (0 h). These findings deepen the understanding of the behavioral ecology of T. remus and provide a crucial theoretical basis for its efficient application in the biological control of S. frugiperda. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spodoptera frugiperda: Current Situation and Future Prospects)

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23 pages, 5646 KB

Open AccessArticle

Changes in Gut Microbiota, Midgut Structure, and Gene Expression of Spodoptera frugiperda Infected by Serratia marcescens

by Yibo Guo, Yue Zou, Youyang Chen, Jiaxin Liu, Yingying Ye, Xinglong Huang and Zhengwei Wu

Insects 2025, 16(9), 933; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16090933 - 4 Sep 2025

Viewed by 1761

Abstract

Serratia marcescens is a microorganism that exhibits insecticidal activity against various insects, including the migratory fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda. This article investigates the insecticidal mechanism of S. marcescens through gastric toxicity. The study involved midgut tissue sectioning, hemolymph observation, and microbiome and transcriptome analysis of both infected and uninfected FAW. The findings revealed that S. marcescens effectively disrupted the structure of the midgut, causing midgut shrinkage and rupture, as well as inducing pseudopodia formation in granulocytes. Moreover, it increased the diversity of gut microbiota. Transcriptome analysis indicated an upregulation of metabolic-related genes and tissue repair genes, while there was a downregulation of fat synthesis genes, some immune genes, hormone synthesis genes, etc. The disruption of the midgut structure negatively affects the metabolism and immune function of the FAW, potentially resulting in midgut rupture, systemic sepsis, and ultimately mortality. In conclusion, our study has elucidated the insecticidal mechanism of S. marcescens against the FAW and demonstrated its potential as a biological control agent for managing this pest. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spodoptera frugiperda: Current Situation and Future Prospects)

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23 pages, 902 KB

Open AccessArticle

Farmers’ Perception of Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) as an Invasive Pest and Its Management

by Waseem Akbar, Sumaira Yousaf, Muhammad Farhan Saeed, Wafa A. H. Alkherb, Asim Abbasi, Nazih Y. Rebouh and Nazia Suleman

Insects 2025, 16(4), 427; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16040427 - 18 Apr 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2621

Abstract

This study was carried out with the aim of understanding how farmers perceive and deal with fall armyworm (FAW) infestations in maize crops. Data based on a questionnaire were collected across nine districts of the Punjab province in Pakistan. Findings revealed that about 38% of farmers had medium-sized landholdings and had been cultivating maize crop for the last 11–20 years. Hybrid maize seed was used by 55% of the farmers, and 60% of the maize grown was used as fodder, as well as a cash crop. Surprisingly, only 39% of farmers were able to correctly identify FAW; however, the majority (72%) recognized the larvae as the most damaging stage. Although most of the farmers (71%) grew maize crops during both seasons, only 34% of the farmers recognized autumn as the peak infestation period of FAW. However, despite limited awareness, a high percentage (86%) of farmers managed FAW effectively using various chemical treatments. This study also highlighted the influence of some factors on farmers’ perception of FAW such as: age, farming experience, and maize cultivation practices. Overall, the findings emphasize the need for increased awareness of the basic biology and targeted management strategies for FAW to safeguard maize crops in the region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spodoptera frugiperda: Current Situation and Future Prospects)

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Review

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21 pages, 4529 KB

Open AccessReview

Exploring the Role of Pheromones and CRISPR/Cas9 in the Behavioral and Olfactory Mechanisms of Spodoptera frugiperda

by Yu Wang, Chen Zhang, Mei-Jun Li, Asim Iqbal, Kanwer Shahzad Ahmed, Atif Idrees, Habiba, Bai-Ming Yang and Long Jiang

Insects 2026, 17(1), 35; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects17010035 - 25 Dec 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1112

Abstract

Globally, Spodoptera frugiperda is a major threat to many important crops, including maize, rice, and cotton, causing significant economic damage. To control this invasive pest, environmentally friendly pest control techniques, including pheromone detection and identification of potential molecular targets to disrupt S. frugiperda mating communication, are needed. Female moths biosynthesize pheromones and emit them from the pheromone gland, which significantly depends on the intrinsic factors of the moth. Male S. frugiperda have a sophisticated olfactory circuit on their antennae that recognizes pheromone blends via olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs). With its potential to significantly modify the insect genome, CRISPR/Cas9 offers a revolutionary strategy to control this insect pest. The impairing physiological behaviors and disrupting the S. frugiperda volatile-sensing mechanism are the main potential applications of CRISPR/Ca9 explored in this review. Furthermore, the release of mutant S. frugiperda for their long-term persistence must be integral to the adoption of this technology. Looking forward, CRISPR/Cas9-based gene drive systems have the potential to synergistically target pheromone signaling pathways in S. frugiperda by disrupting pheromone receptors and key biosynthesis genes, thereby effectively blocking intraspecific communication and reproductive success. In conclusion, CRISPR/Cas9 provides an environmentally friendly and revolutionary platform for precise, targeted pest management in S. frugiperda. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spodoptera frugiperda: Current Situation and Future Prospects)

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