Nikita Talukdar, Bhritishma Kalita, Souvik Mohanty, Maibam Stephen Singh, Puyam Nikesh Singh and Pukhram Bhumita

Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Central Agricultural University, Imphal, 795004, Manipur, India

*Corresponding Author: Pukhram Bhumita, Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Central Agricultural University, Imphal, 795004, Manipur, India.

Received: November 11, 2025; Published: November 29, 2025

Abstract

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), has rapidly emerged as a formidable invasive pest, posing a significant threat to global food security, particularly maize production. Originating from the Americas, its aggressive spread across Africa and Asia necessitates a comprehensive evaluation of management strategies to mitigate its devastating impact, with yield losses ranging from 20% to over 70%. This review synthesizes current knowledge on effective and sustainable practices for managing FAW in maize. We critically examine a spectrum of control measures, beginning with foundational, cost-effective cultural practices such as early planting, intercropping, and residue management. The paper further explores biological and botanical methods, highlighting the efficacy of biopesticides like Bacillus thuringiensis and Metarhizium anisopliae, the conservation of natural enemies, and the use of botanical extracts. While chemical control offers rapid pest suppression, we address significant challenges of insecticide resistance, environmental contamination, and non-target impacts, advocating for its judicious use within an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) framework. The review underscores critical challenges hindering sustainable FAW control, including resistance management, climate change impacts on pest dynamics, and research gaps. We conclude by emphasizing the urgent need for robust IPM strategies, supportive government policies, and effective extension services to empower farmers with tools for long-term, resilient FAW management.

Keywords: Spodoptera frugiperda; Integrated Pest Management (IPM); Biopesticides; Cultural Control; Insecticide Resistance; Sustainable Agriculture

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Citation

Citation: Pukhram Bhumita., et al. “Towards Sustainable Control of Fall Armyworm in Maize: An Overview of Management Practices". Acta Scientific Agriculture 9.12 (2025): 22-28.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2025 Pukhram Bhumita., et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.