Preliminary Observations and Domestic Management of the Polyphagous Fall Armyworm, (Spodoptera Frugiperda) in Sharqia Governorate, Egypt

Purpose: In mid-2019, fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (FAW), a highly destructive and polyphagous pest was first discovered in Egypt. It is now a candidate to be a major economic threat to crop production. This study is the first report of this pest at Sharqia Governorate, northern-east Egypt. The available chemical control that is reviewed and reported which is mostly the first assessment in Egypt regarding the extreme shortage in any local data
Research Method: Compare the morphological features and description of the detected insect stages with the ideal published data. Through leaf dip bioassay in second instar larvae; the lethal concentrations (LC values) of various conventional and newer insecticides were detected in FAW. Four different insecticides (indoxacarb, methomyl, chlorpyrifos, and metaflumizone were evaluated against both strains (laboratory and field) of FAW.
Findings: Generally, the field strain showed resistance to the tested insecticides as compared to the laboratory one; however, indoxacarb (sodium channel blocker) was recorded as the most toxicant one, recording the lowest LC50 and LC90 values (48.79 and 208.47%) for field strain and (16.47 and 103.78%) for laboratory one, respectively. The field strain’s observed insecticide resistance was attributed to resistance mechanisms including a noteworthy rise in the activities of detoxification enzymes. indoxacarb showed the lowest resistance significant values in the field strain as compared to laboratory one. We can conclude that sodium channel blocker i.e. indoxicarb is a promising choice in IPM strategies of FAW in Egypt.
Research Limitations: More field studies are required to examine the tested insecticides on different plant species to confirm their effectiveness under field circumstances and to make conclusive recommendations.
Originality / Value: Findings can confirm the presence of the invasive FAW in this specific area, register it for the first time, and provide detailed descriptions, also the candidate insecticides proved to be promising control agents to combat FAW larvae under local efforts and domestic circumstances.