How to control and manage the Spodoptera frugiperda (Fall armyworm)

Time of Trapping

It is best to place lures and traps for the first time when the pests are at low density to lower loss, or at least 1 month before harvest and maintain traps between cropping cycles. Trapping during the post harvest period is important. During the post harvest period many males emerge from drying plants and the soil and their capture lowers pest pressure for the next crop cycle.

Trap selection

The bucket funnel trap/wing trap +wing trap sticky card is most sensitive trap to use for monitoring Spodoptera frugiperda.

Trap density

For detection surveys, place 1-2 traps in each [high risk] area.

For monitoring surveys, traps are placed at a density of 2-3 traps per hectare (1 trap per acre) for open fields. 

For mass trapping 75-120 traps per hectare would be needed depending on plant situation.

Trap position

Put the traps 1.0-1.2m above from the floor. 

Peripheral dense, thin in the middle.

Pay attention to the wind direction. Put more at the place where wind come from.

Lures: Lures can be changed every 4-6 weeks to get the most accurate results. Bucket funnel trap/wing trap (green top part) could be reused until broken, normally over one year. Wing trap sticky card need to replace once full of pests.

Lures handling 

Pheromone lures are very sensitive tool. They can be affected by exposure to elevated heat and direct sunshine. Direct touching by hand may cause cross contamination leading to mixed catches in the trap. Some contaminants such as Nicotine may have repellent effect reducing trap catch.

Lure Storage

In cool and dry place without direct sunshine, the shelf life is 12 months. But if keeping it refrigerated under (-15℃ to -5℃), the shelf life is 2 years at least.