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Simple Summary: In this article "Seasonal dynamics of the alien insect pest Spodoptera frugiperda Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Manica province, central Mozambique", the authors Albasini Caniço, António Mexia and Luisa Santos, discuss the population fluctuation of a newly introduced and important insect pest. This insect pest attacks maize, which is a staple food in the country. Because the pest is highly voracious, its attack on maize reduces the grain yield and threatens food security of around half of the Mozambican population. The authors compared the situation of the pest in the dry and rainy seasons. The study shows that during the dry season, the population of this pest increases and many plants are attacked and eventually killed. With this knowledge, farmers and researchers can efficiently plan about when the control measures should be stepped up to deal with this insect pest. The alien invasive insect pest Spodoptera frugiperda Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), commonly referred to as fall armyworm (FAW), is causing significant losses to maize production in Africa since its detection in 2016. Despite being the primary insect pest of the main food crop in the country, researchers have concentrated their efforts on methods of control, and there are no published studies on its seasonality which could assist farmers in delivering effective methods of control in periods of heavy infestations. The primary goal of this study was to assess the seasonal dynamics of FAW in maize fields. We conducted a field survey from May to August 2019 (dry season of the 2018/2019 cropping season) and in December 2019 and January 2020 (rainy season of the 2019/2020 cropping season) in 622 maize fields. In each field, 20 plants were selected in a "W" pattern and checked for the presence of FAW egg masses and/or larvae. Plants were also assessed for damage. Preliminary results show increased infestation, damages, and population density of FAW in the dry season. Our results suggest that early planting of maize in the primary cropping season may significantly reduce the infestation and damage by FAW when compared to the dry season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
