Grease controls devastating fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) larvae on maize crop

A scientist from Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) has discovered a new and innovative technique of managing the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) larvae on maize plant. The article describing this technique is published in prestigious nature journal “Scientific Reports” on 5th May 2022.

Fall armyworm is a devastating insect, which is known for its polyphagous nature. This insect can migrate up to 100 km in a single night and therefore, it becomes a fascinating pest in many countries for its proper management. The report says that fall armyworm larvae could cause yield loss of more than 30 % in general. Several chemicals like emamectin benzoate, and spinosad are found effective against this dangerous pest and thousands of dollars have been spoiled to control it in Nepal.

“Application of small amount of grease (0.15 g) on affected maize leaf whorl could deter fall armyworm larvae effectively,” says the principal investigator Dr. Ujjawal Kumar Singh Kushwaha. He said that grease could disturb the movement of larvae and it might cause irritation to them. Therefore, the larvae detect danger, feel insecure and move far away from the maize crop searching for food materials. This simple but amazing technique is also cost-effective and environmentally friendly. Dr. Kushwaha said that there is no need to apply grease on all the crop plants, treat only 5 % of plants of the whole plot with grease and you will see that within a couple of days, the armyworm larvae get disappear. Dr. Kushwaha works as a scientist in National Plant Breeding and Genetics Research Centre, NARC, Khumaltar, Lalitpur, Nepal. Grease is a lubricating agent mostly used in automobile industries.

Article title: A cost-efficient and alternative technique of managing fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) larvae in maize crop

Article link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-10982-7