Look eggs of fall army worm in maize
The fall army worm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is a destructive pest that feeds on more than 80 plant species, including maize, rice, sorghum, and sugarcane. The female moth can lay up to 2000 eggs in her lifetime, which are usually deposited in clusters of 50 to 200 on the underside of the leaves. The eggs are covered with scales or hairs from the female’s body, giving them a fuzzy appearance.Depending on temperature and humidity, the eggs will hatch within 2-4 days. The newly hatched larvae feed on leaf tissue, causing the formation of holes and skeletons.
The larva goes through 6 instars and reaches a maximum length of 4 cm. They are highly variable in color, ranging from green to brown to black, with yellow and white stripes along the body. The larvae can migrate long distances in search of food, especially when their host plants are depleted or damaged by drought or other factors. The larvae pupate in the soil or in plant debris, forming a brown cocoon.
The pupal stage lasts for 8 to 13 days, after which the adult moths emerge and mate. The adult moths have a wingspan of about 3.5 cm and are nocturnal. They have a brownish-gray forewing with a white spot near the tip and a light-colored hindwing with a dark border. The adult moths can fly up to 100 km per night, spreading the infestation to new areas. The fall army worm can have several generations per year, depending on the climate and the availability of host plants. Read more
Chilakamari Lokesh Mudhiraj
Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University