Night-Time Light-Traps and Push-Pull Integrated System Enhanced the Control of Different Life Stages of Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract

Abstract Background Maize, Zea mays L (Cyperales: Poaceae), is one of the major cereal crops grown in Ethiopia for its food and feed values. Recently, the fall armyworm (FAW) (Spodoptera frugiperda) has become a major challenge to maize production threatening smallholder farmers in the country. Developing effective and smallholder farmers-friendly integrated pest management of FAW is vital. Therefore, a study was conducted to evaluate the effect of night-time light-traps and push-pull integrated system on controlling different life stages (adult, larvae and eggs) of FAW. Results A significantly greater number of FAW moths were captured on traps placed outside maize field plots treated with a light-trap and push-pull integrated system than on traps placed outside maize monocrop, light-trap and push-pull treated plots during the 2018 and 2019 experiment seasons. As a result, a significantly lower number of moths were found inside maize field plots treated with light-trap and a push-pull integrated system than the other treatments. The levels of FAW eggs and larvae infestation were significantly lower in maize plots treated with a light-trap and push-pull integrated system than in maize monocrops, push-pull, and light-trap treated plots. The proportion of plants damaged by FAW larvae was significantly lower in maize plots treated with a light-trap and push-pull integrated system relative to maize plots treated with the other treatments. Conclusion This study proved that a system integrating night-time light-traps and push-pull system results in a better and more effective control of different stages of FAW than push-pull system and night-time light-traps alone.