Vol. 11, Special Issue 3 (2022)

Author(s):
CP Mallapur, Anjan Kumar Naik and GM Dharshini

Abstract:
It has been over two years since the first report of an outbreak of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Karnataka, India. From the onset to the outbreak, there have been varied level of incidence at different locations. Its infestation in Northern Karnataka ranged from 0 to 59.59 per cent. During first year, highest average infestation (27.67%) was in Dharwad district succeeded by Uttara Kannada (24.80%), Belagavi (16.54%) and Haveri (16.07%) while no infestation was observed in Gadag district. During second year infestation was to the tune of 4.83 to 26.80 per cent. Highest infestation was at Belagavi district (26.80%) followed by Dharwad (22.50%), Haveri (9.75%), Gadag (8.34%) and least incidence was observed in Uttara Kannada district (4.83%). Among natural enemies, infection by Metarhizium rileyi was the major cause of death of Fall armyworm larvae compared to other predators and parasitoids. Due to its polyphagous nature and high migratory capacity, pest has a potential to spread to other important crops in near future and causing crop loss.