Report of an exotic invasive pest the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) on maize in Southern Rajasthan

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) is a polyphagous Lepidopteran pest recently invaded in India on maize, sorghum and sugarcane crop causes severe economic losses. This pest has been identified by morphological and DNA barcoding methods. The present study revealed that the percentage damage was between 10 to 40% in different hybrids, inbred lines of maize and sweet corn. FAW larvae found during the vegetative stage of the crop i.e. knee height stage and continues upto cob formation stage. Dark brown grown larvae having inverted ‘Y’ shape on the head with remarkable elevated distinct four dark coloured black spots (Pinacula) arranged in square on the abdominal segment in 8th segment whereas trapezoidal pattern on 9th abdominal segment. This pest has been reported for the first time on maize in Southern Rajasthan and the proper monitoring should be carried out in this region which will be useful to the farmers for the timely management of FAW.