Molecular surveillance of resistance mutations in invasive populations of Spodoptera frugiperda in Europe, for evidence-based pest control.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The invasive fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda, FAW), a highly destructive pest affecting more than 350 plant species, has recently invaded Europe raising urgent management concerns. Insecticide resistance profiling is essential to support evidence-based pest control strategies. In this study, we analyzed target-site insecticide resistance mutations in FAW populations from Greece to inform pest control strategies. In addition, DNA barcoding through cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene sequencing was used to trace the pest's geographic origin and potential invasion pathways.

Results

All Spodoptera frugiperda specimens in Greece were identified as the rice strain, exhibiting two almost balanced haplotypes (Haplotype 1: 58.6%; Haplotype 2: 41.4%), suggesting a

SUBMITTER: Mavridis K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12268801 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature