Confirmation of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Papua New Guinea by molecular diagnostics of mitochondrial DNA COI gene

Abstract

Native to the Americas and the Caribbean, the highly invasive agricultural pest Spodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworm, FAW) gained global prominence in 2016 when its presence was confirmed in Nigeria and São Tomé and Principe. Since then, it has been reported from over 70 countries in the African and Asian continents including the Near East, South East Asia, and Oceania. In this report, we provide confirmation of the presence of the pest in the northeast province of Papua New Guinea (PNG) via molecular analysis (i.e., DNA barcoding) of the partial mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (mtDNA COI) gene. Our analyses identified the suspected insect species as S. frugiperda with a gene sequence characteristic of the R-strain. We discussed the biosecurity implication of detecting FAW in this PNG region that neighbours the Bismarck Sea and the New Britain Province as well as the Solomon Islands. We further highlighted the need to survey for beneficial insects of FAW to assist with developing integrated pest management strategies, and to apply whole genome sequencing approach to characterize insecticide resistance gene in FAW populations from this region.