Report on Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda)

 

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Publication Date

Thu, 01 Mar 2018, 09:48

Last Updated

March 1, 2018, 9:48 a.m.

Report Number

GHA-01/3

Country

Ghana

Pest Id

Spodoptera frugiperda - (LAPHFR)

Report Status

Preliminary

Hosts

Maize and Sugar cane

Pest Status (old values from ISPM 8 -1998 )

• Present: only in some areas

Pest Status (ISPM 8 - 2021)

• Present: not widely distributed and under official control

Geographical Distribution

S frugiperda is native to South America and is established in parts of Mexico, USA, Central and South America. S. frugiperda was first reported in continental African by Sao Tome in 2013. It was later reported in Nigeria, Benin and Togo and we now confirm that it is in Ghana. This was confirmed through molecular identification of samples collected as a result of reports received across the country in 2016. The pest has been reported in nine (9) out of the ten (10) regions in the country with the Western Region as the exception.

Summary

S. frugiperda is a noctuidae and a polyphagus pest with the caterpillar being the damaging stage of the pest. S. frugiperda prefers tropical climate. Life cycle from egg to adult range from 31-61 days and can undergo up to six (6) generations in a year with overlapping generations.

Danger

The larvae feed inside whorls of young plants with characteristic small shot holes "window pane" to large ragged and elongated holes in the leaves emerging from the whorl. Severe adult feeding results in ragged appearance of leaves, tassels and ears. Deep feeding in whorl destroys developing tassel. Defoliation reduces photosynthetic area reducing plant growth and yield. The presence of Fall armyworm in Ghana poses food security threat and will erode gains made in achieving self-sufficiency in maize production unless adequate Integrated Pest Management measures are put in place to manage the pest.

Contact for info

Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. P. O. Box M37. Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Report files

Pictures of Spodoptera frugiperda

Website

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