Fall Armyworm (FAW) 

Spodoptera frugiperda

The 2021-22 maize season has seen this invasive pest reach our shores causing damage in maize crops across the northern half of the North Island. 

  • A very destructive pest 
  • Can fly 100kms in a night 
  • Affects crop at all growth stages 
  • Up to 12 overlapping generations per year 
  • Larvae feed on leaves, stems, flowers and grain 
  • Feeds on more than 350 other plant types 
  • Maize crop damage can be 50%! Or more. 
Grain damage confirmed from FAW in the Far North. 23-05-22
Grain damage confirmed from FAW in the Far North. 23-05-22

IDENTIFY 

Adults: 

Dark gray, mottled forewings with light and dark splotches, and a noticeable white spot near the extreme end of each. About 38mm long.

Eggs:

Eggs are generally laid on the underside of leaves. Egg masses are grey or whitish in color with a hairy covering.

Larvae:

Newly hatched larvae are green in color and smooth-skinned.
Larvae can vary in color from light tan or green to nearly black as they develop. Larvae are similar in appearance to other caterpillars of related species and the head capsule markings are used to differentiate from other larvae. FAW larvae have a predominant white, inverted Y-shaped suture between the eyes and four raised spots on the second to last body segment.

Pupae:

Reddish-brown, 14-18 mm long. Pupation occurs within the soil.

 

MONITOR

Key Industries is working with MPI, F.A.R, and Maize Industry leaders to better understand FAW. For this purpose Key Industries are now importing Pheromone Monitoring Lures SPECIFIC to Fall Army Worm from our international partner Trécé, who are leaders in this technology.

Placement Time:

Late Spring
When crops are susceptible to damage. 

Placement Pattern:

Edges of field or 16 to 24 rows from edge of field.
On windward side of field so pheromone will be blown into field.
Place traps at least 20 – 40m apart and 1.5m above the ground. 

Trap Density:

Minimum of 2 per field
One trap per ha >8ha 

Trap Maintenance:

Check twice weekly.
Change lures monthly.
Change liners monthly, or when dirty.

Download Fall Armyworm Info Sheet
Download SDS

Fall Armyworm

Chemical resistance has made traditional chemistry and spray programs ineffective.

FAW-On-Finger-Lowres

Exerpt from Louisiana State University on FAW chemical resistance

1.4 Management of Spodoptera frugiperda Traditional chemical control strategies often provide unsatisfactory control of S. frugiperda in field corn. Almost immediately after larval hatching, neonates move into the whorl region of corn plants where they are protected from foliar insecticide sprays (Harrison, 1986; Castro, 2002; Bokonon-Ganta et al., 2003; Siebert et al., 2008a). Those insecticides which are generally effective against other pests, such as the corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea 3 (Boddie), typically provide only limited control of S. frugiperda (Young, 1979; Guillebeau and All, 1990). Regional populations of S. frugiperda have developed resistance to several classes of insecticides including carbamates, organophosphates, and pyrethroids (Adamczyk et al., 1999). Thus, transgenic corn varieties have become a more viable option for controlling S. frugiperda.

We have global partners working on solutions at this moment. The first step is monitoring.
We need to monitor to understand the problem and develop a solution.

Orders for Fall Army Worm Monitoring Kits are being taken now.

Each Kit includes the following:-

3 x Cardboard disposable monitoring stations | 6 x Sticky boards, 2 for each station. | 9 x FAW specific Pheromone lures.= 3 lures for each station, each lasting for 4 weeks.

Fall Armyworm NZ FAQs

For questions or further info contact: 

Your local Key Industries representative or contact sales@keyindustries.co.nz

Maize Industry leaders are encouraging every grower to monitor this spring. International cases show it can be hugely detrimental with crop destruction as high as

50%

IF YOU FIND IT — REPORT IT – MPI Pest hotline 0800 80 99 66

Territory Managers