Abstract

Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is a major pest of maize which is native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas and is the key insect pest of maize in tropical region. The Fall Army Worm (FAW) was first noticed in the Indian subcontinent at Bangalore and Chikkaballapur districts during May and June 2018 and South Karnataka during the first fortnight of July 2018. Since then, it has spread to different states of India on maize. Due to its migratory behavior, wide host range, high reproductive capacity, and the absence of diapause in tropical climate it is capable of damaging crops to a serious extent and may accelerate expansion of its geographical range within the country. It causes damage up to 30 per cent yield reduction in maize crop in 10 states of India. In the context of its economic importance and destruc-tive nature, their identification, biology and life cycle, nature of damage, extent of yield loss, and management through cultural practices, mechanical, botanicals, biological and synthetic pesticides have been reviewed in detail in the present manuscript. Early planting and intercropping with nonhost crops are essential cultural practices to reduce pest incidence. Several plant species (botanicals) have shown insecticidal properties against FAW. It is therefore necessary to create awareness about the pest and its management options which is ecologically sustainable, economically profitable and socially acceptable to mitigate the impact of the fall armyworm in India.