First reports of Spodoptera frugiperda in Benin, Nigeria, São Tomé et Príncipe, and Togo
Outbreaks of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae – EPPO A1 List) were reported for the first time from Africa in early 2016. When the first observations of armyworms were made in late January 2016 on maize plants in Southwestern Nigeria and in IITA (International Institute of Tropical Agriculture) maize fields at Ibadan and Ikenne, attacks were initially attributed to indigenous species of Spodoptera. However, later in the season, high armyworm populations were also reported from Northern Nigeria, Benin and Togo. In April 2016, the government of São Tomé et Príncipe called upon FAO to organize a mission and provide assistance to maize growers because of the presence of armyworms. Samples (larvae and adults) were collected from maize plants from several locations in West and Central Africa and sent to the IITA research station in Cotonou (Benin) for identification. These studies confirmed the presence of S. frugiperda in Benin, Nigeria, São Tomé et Príncipe, and Togo. Most samples were identified using the morphological characteristics of the pest. In addition to morphological identification methods, molecular tools were used to confirm the species identity on larval and adult specimens from Nigeria and São Tomé et Príncipe. These studies revealed the occurrence of at least two distinct haplotypes, thus suggesting that multiple introductions took place. It is considered that the introduction of S. frugiperda into the African continent is a serious threat to many important crops such as maize, millet, sorghum, rice, wheat and sugarcane, and may have adverse effects on export markets. It is concluded that the development of Integrated Pest Management programs are urgently needed to control S. frugiperda in Africa.
Sources
Goergen G, Kumar PL, Sankung SB, Togola A, Tamò M (2016) First report of outbreaks of the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J E Smith) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae), a new alien invasive pest in West and Central Africa. PLoS ONE 11(10): e0165632. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0165632