Efficacy of some insecticides on fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda in maize fields

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran

2 Plant Protection Research Department, Khuzestan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Ahvaz, Iran

3 Plant Protection Research Department, Fars Agricultural and Natural Resources and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Zarghan, Iran

4 Plant Protection Research Department, Hormozgan Agricultural and Natural Resources and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Bandar Abbas, Iran

Abstract

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda is an invasive pest with a global distribution that has caused significant damage to corn fields in several provinces of Iran. However, it is still listed as a foreign quarantine pest. Chemical control is an immediate measure to prevent its damage and spread. In this study, the efficacy of Chlorantraniliprole (150, 200, and 250 mL per hectare), Lufenuron + Emamectin benzoate (100 g per hectare), Lambda-cyhalothrin (150 mL per hectare), and Emamectin benzoate + Indoxacarb (400 mL per hectare) was evaluated in comparison with a control treatment, using a randomized complete block design with seven treatments and 4 replications in corn fields located in the provinces of Fars, Hormozgan, and Khuzestan. The number of live larvae was counted one day before, and at 1, 7, 14, and 21 days after spraying. Results showed that most of the treatments had significant effects in controlling the pest across all three provinces. However, in most of the sampling days, all three concentrations of Chlorantraniliprole exhibited a high level of efficacy in controlling the pest. The effectiveness range for Chlorantraniliprole over three weeks was 90.06 to 98.86% in Hormozgan, 71.52 to 90% in Fars and approximately 70% in Khuzestan during the first two weeks after spraying. Additionally, Lufenuron + Emamectin benzoate (88.96%) and Lambda-cyhalothrin (82.38%) were also effective in Hormozgan. Based on the results, a dosage of 150 mL per hectare of Chlorantraniliprole is recommended, and to prevent resistance, the other insecticides can be used in alternation.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Applied Research in Plant Protection
Volume 15, Issue 1
April 2026
Pages 15-23

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History

  • Receive Date: 13 December 2025
  • Revise Date: 15 May 2026
  • Accept Date: 16 May 2026

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