An agro ecological method of managing fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) larvae by interrupting locomotion action over maize (Zea mays L.) leaf surface

Key Messages

·       Nepalese farmers meet a destructive pest in maize crop, the fall armyworm larvae from 2019.

·       Mostly conventional chemical control methods are unable to cope the problems and  shows adverse effects to the environment.

·       A water insoluble and lubricating agent like grease applied to the infested maize whorl and crop damage significantly reduced after 8-10 days.

·       The grease treated plots had no crop damage which might be due to restriction in the movement of larvae over maize crop.

·       Grease and emamectin benzoate treated plots had similar results.

Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-10982-7#:~:text=This%20study%20tested%20the%20efficacy%20of%20grease,might%20have%20an%20irritating%20and%20unpleasant%20smell