The Four-spotted Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is a highly invasive and destructive pest of maize (corn) crops. This caterpillar is known to feed on the leaves, stems, and ears of maize plants, causing extensive damage to the crop and reducing yields. In severe infestations, the pest can completely defoliate plants and even destroy entire fields.
The larva is brown in colour, dark pimple-like spots with hairs. Larval stage is about 12 to 20 days. This invasive polyphagous pest lays their eggs on the lower surface of the leaf in a bunch covering with silken thread. Young larvae scrap the epidermal layer of the leaf and feed chlorophyll contents. Bigger larvae feed on leaves by making uneven shot holes on the leaf and also enter into the cob and feed the developing grains. Saw-dust like excreta is seen near the leaf whorl. This caterpillar can do 34 to 50% damage to the maize crop.
Invasive pest ( Four spotted fall armyworm) in maize crop
