The repository of biocontrol agents for Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith, 1797) with emphasis on their mode of action

Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith, 1797) is one of the most destructive pests of Maize plants, causing an estimated 40% crop loss in 2019. It is a native pest of America and difficult to control since it has developed resistance against most insecticides efficient in controlling lepidopteran pests, including recommended Chlorantraniliprole and Flubendiamide. Due to the increasing need for a change in pest management methods, it is necessary to consider biological control on a commercial level.

In this review, we have put together a list of all the biocontrol agents (parasites, parasitoids, predators, viruses, bacteria, and fungi) reported from different parts of the world effective in managing the impact of S. frugiperda, along with an elaborate mechanism of action of each natural killer. After analyzing the procured data, Pareto charts were prepared plotting the distribution of the mortality of S. frugiperda caused by parasitoids and pathogens. The regional abundance was plotted in the form of graph.

Pareto’s charts (Fig. 6) shows that Telenomus remus and Steinernema riobrave accounts for a maximum of 90% mortality of S. frugiperda among other high contributors (Chelonus insularis, Trichospilus pupivora, Ophion flavidus, Heterorhabditis indica, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, Trichogramma mwanai). NPV and Metarhizium anisopliae were proved to be the most effective micro-entomopathogens causing up to 98% mortality. Also, these entomopathogens were reported all over the world but found abundant in Mexico and India. Based on this study, we recommend the augmentation of entomopathogenic insects on a large scale only to commercialize them in the market and produce different ready-to-use pathogenic formulations to be applied in the fields combined with a significantly less quantity of harmful chemical ailments.