FALL ARMYWORM BIOLOGICAL CONTROL: EVIDENCE, RESEARCH GAPS, AND IMPLEMENTATION PRIORITIES
Keywords:
Biological Control; Fall Armyworm; Entomopathogens; Parasitoids; Implementation Readiness
Abstract
Biological control is increasingly promoted for fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, but recent evidence remains dispersed from natural-enemy discovery to farmer adoption. Objective: This narrative review synthesized open-access Scopus articles indexed as 2026 publications and available through 2 July 2026, assessing evidence maturity toward implementation. Methods: Of 45 Agricultural and Biological Sciences records, 13 full texts were retrieved; 12 articles were included and synthesized thematically. Results: Parasitoids and entomopathogens showed promising controlled efficacy, but field performance varied. Combining Telenomus remus, Beauveria bassiana, and Metarhabditis rainai increased larval mortality and crop performance, whereas baculovirus products underperformed synthetic insecticides. Major gaps involved multi-season validation, standardized crop and economic outcomes, ecological safety, mass production, and sustained adoption. Conclusion: Research should prioritize translating biological efficacy into reliable, measurable, and scalable management strategies.
References
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Durocher-Granger, L., Rware, H., Mudenda, S. K., Chiboola, M. M., Ludwig, D., & Leeuwis, C. (2026). Awareness and community preferences on collective pest management for fall armyworm in rural Zambia. NJAS: Impact in Agricultural and Life Sciences, 98(1), 2627092. https://doi.org/10.1080/27685241.2026.2627092
Frimpong-Anin, K., Amoabeng, B. W., Asamoah, J. F., Danso, Y., Ohene-Mensah, G., Awarikabey, E. N., Appiah, D. A., Antwi, D., Kwodane, M., Abugri, B., & Gyamfi, M. (2026). Integration of egg parasitoids and entomopathogens for the management of fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda on maize in Ghana. Academia Biology, 4. https://doi.org/10.20935/AcadBiol8193
Giacomelli, T., Schardong, I. S., Pozebon, H., Perini, C. R., Camatti, G., Brum, E. M., Arnemann, J. A., & Guedes, J. V. C. (2026). Synthetic or biological insecticide performance on Bt corn to control Spodoptera frugiperda. International Journal of Tropical Insect Science, 46, 409-418. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42690-025-01691-5
Giri, K., Pokhrel, M. R., & Bhandari, G. (2026). Influence of egg traits on parasitism by Trichogramma chilonis and Telenomus remus against Spodoptera frugiperda. Frontiers in Insect Science, 6, 1749736. https://doi.org/10.3389/finsc.2026.1749736
Herlinda, S., Saripudin, S., Thosin, T., Madya, S. P., Sari, J. M. P., Suwandi, S., Anggraini, E., & Suharjo, R. (2026). Endophytic Beauveria bassiana in root, seed, and foliar-treated maize affecting Spodoptera frugiperda larvae and its parasitization eggs. Journal of Tropical Plant Pests and Diseases, 26(1), 59-67. https://doi.org/10.23960/j.hptt.12659-67
Huston, D. C., Caglar, C., Bonney, S., Bond, S. J., Ratnayake, W., Thistleton, B., Tadle, F. P. J., Subramaniam, S., & Hodda, M. (2026). Two unknown species of Mermithidae parasitising fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda in Australia. Australasian Plant Pathology, 55, 20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13313-026-01108-y
Mendez-Flota, D. L., Gonzalez-Moreno, A., Ruiz-Sanchez, E., & Flota-Banuelos, C. (2026). Beneficial insects in maize crops: Response to the use of biorational insecticides for the control of Spodoptera frugiperda. Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems, 29, Article 018. https://doi.org/10.56369/tsaes.6587
Nurayuda, N., Kustiati, K., Saputra, F., & Wardoyo, E. R. P. (2026). Parasitoid Chelonus formosanus and its parasitization level of Spodoptera frugiperda in corn plantations in Rasau Jaya, West Kalimantan. Jurnal Entomologi Indonesia, 23(1), 76-82. https://doi.org/10.5994/jei.23.1.76
Pec, M., Salazar-Mendoza, P., Azevedo, K. E. X., Magalhaes, D. M., Delalibera, I., Jr., & Bento, J. M. S. (2026). When calls for help backfire: Induced plant volatiles reduce the attraction of a nocturnal predator in sugarcane. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 52, 7. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-025-01682-3
Peter, E., Subramanian, S., Yusuf, A., Mohamed, S. A., Torto, B., Martin, E. A., & Tamiru, A. (2026). Behavioral and electrophysiological responses of fall armyworm larval parasitoid Coccygidium luteum to maize and companion plant volatiles. BioControl, 71, 295-308. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-025-10377-3
Senousy, F. A., El Arnaouty, S. A., Kortam, M. N., Ismail, I. M., Awad, M., & Zayton, M. A. (2026). Isolation, identification, and pathogenicity of entomopathogenic fungal strains and their secondary metabolites against Spodoptera frugiperda. Neotropical Entomology, 55, 11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13744-026-01360-3
Shi, R., Lu, J., Shi, A., Shu, X., Yang, L., Wang, P., Yan, Y., Li, Z., Wu, Q., Wang, Z., Ye, X., Chen, X., & Tang, P. (2026). Plodia interpunctella as the suitable alternative host for mass rearing of Meteorus pulchricornis. Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control, 36, 16. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41938-026-00898-z
Durocher-Granger, L., Rware, H., Mudenda, S. K., Chiboola, M. M., Ludwig, D., & Leeuwis, C. (2026). Awareness and community preferences on collective pest management for fall armyworm in rural Zambia. NJAS: Impact in Agricultural and Life Sciences, 98(1), 2627092. https://doi.org/10.1080/27685241.2026.2627092
Frimpong-Anin, K., Amoabeng, B. W., Asamoah, J. F., Danso, Y., Ohene-Mensah, G., Awarikabey, E. N., Appiah, D. A., Antwi, D., Kwodane, M., Abugri, B., & Gyamfi, M. (2026). Integration of egg parasitoids and entomopathogens for the management of fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda on maize in Ghana. Academia Biology, 4. https://doi.org/10.20935/AcadBiol8193
Giacomelli, T., Schardong, I. S., Pozebon, H., Perini, C. R., Camatti, G., Brum, E. M., Arnemann, J. A., & Guedes, J. V. C. (2026). Synthetic or biological insecticide performance on Bt corn to control Spodoptera frugiperda. International Journal of Tropical Insect Science, 46, 409-418. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42690-025-01691-5
Giri, K., Pokhrel, M. R., & Bhandari, G. (2026). Influence of egg traits on parasitism by Trichogramma chilonis and Telenomus remus against Spodoptera frugiperda. Frontiers in Insect Science, 6, 1749736. https://doi.org/10.3389/finsc.2026.1749736
Herlinda, S., Saripudin, S., Thosin, T., Madya, S. P., Sari, J. M. P., Suwandi, S., Anggraini, E., & Suharjo, R. (2026). Endophytic Beauveria bassiana in root, seed, and foliar-treated maize affecting Spodoptera frugiperda larvae and its parasitization eggs. Journal of Tropical Plant Pests and Diseases, 26(1), 59-67. https://doi.org/10.23960/j.hptt.12659-67
Huston, D. C., Caglar, C., Bonney, S., Bond, S. J., Ratnayake, W., Thistleton, B., Tadle, F. P. J., Subramaniam, S., & Hodda, M. (2026). Two unknown species of Mermithidae parasitising fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda in Australia. Australasian Plant Pathology, 55, 20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13313-026-01108-y
Mendez-Flota, D. L., Gonzalez-Moreno, A., Ruiz-Sanchez, E., & Flota-Banuelos, C. (2026). Beneficial insects in maize crops: Response to the use of biorational insecticides for the control of Spodoptera frugiperda. Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems, 29, Article 018. https://doi.org/10.56369/tsaes.6587
Nurayuda, N., Kustiati, K., Saputra, F., & Wardoyo, E. R. P. (2026). Parasitoid Chelonus formosanus and its parasitization level of Spodoptera frugiperda in corn plantations in Rasau Jaya, West Kalimantan. Jurnal Entomologi Indonesia, 23(1), 76-82. https://doi.org/10.5994/jei.23.1.76
Pec, M., Salazar-Mendoza, P., Azevedo, K. E. X., Magalhaes, D. M., Delalibera, I., Jr., & Bento, J. M. S. (2026). When calls for help backfire: Induced plant volatiles reduce the attraction of a nocturnal predator in sugarcane. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 52, 7. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-025-01682-3
Peter, E., Subramanian, S., Yusuf, A., Mohamed, S. A., Torto, B., Martin, E. A., & Tamiru, A. (2026). Behavioral and electrophysiological responses of fall armyworm larval parasitoid Coccygidium luteum to maize and companion plant volatiles. BioControl, 71, 295-308. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-025-10377-3
Senousy, F. A., El Arnaouty, S. A., Kortam, M. N., Ismail, I. M., Awad, M., & Zayton, M. A. (2026). Isolation, identification, and pathogenicity of entomopathogenic fungal strains and their secondary metabolites against Spodoptera frugiperda. Neotropical Entomology, 55, 11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13744-026-01360-3
Shi, R., Lu, J., Shi, A., Shu, X., Yang, L., Wang, P., Yan, Y., Li, Z., Wu, Q., Wang, Z., Ye, X., Chen, X., & Tang, P. (2026). Plodia interpunctella as the suitable alternative host for mass rearing of Meteorus pulchricornis. Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control, 36, 16. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41938-026-00898-z
Published
2026-07-10
How to Cite
Waworuntu, J. (2026). FALL ARMYWORM BIOLOGICAL CONTROL: EVIDENCE, RESEARCH GAPS, AND IMPLEMENTATION PRIORITIES . Jurnal Sapta Agrica, 5(1), 86-101. https://doi.org/10.57094/jsa.v5i1.5383
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Articles
