Occurrence of invasive species of armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda on sugarcane in Belgaum, Karnataka, India

Abstract

Study conducted to indentify the spread of invasive species of armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda to other major crops thus, roving surveys were conducted from December 2018 in some parts of Belgaum revealed that incidence of fall armyworm on sugarcane crop also apart from maize and sorghum in Karnataka. Survey conducted in and around Hukkeri, talukas, where the younger crop (30-45days old) was infested by armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda. Less damage was recorded on ratoon sugarcane as well as older crop. Newly sown sugarcane crop of 30-45 days in some pockets of Hukkeri taluka having initial damage of 0-5 per cent incidence. More incidence was observed on maize + sugarcane intercropping and also where the farmers followed Rabi crops as sugarcane and maize. Incidence was also noticed in one of the sugarcane trial at Bellad Bagewadi.