Spodoptera frugiperda Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Cameroon: Case study on its distribution, damage, pesticide use, genetic differentiation and host plants.

ABSTRACT: Maize farmers in sub-Saharan Africa recently experienced unusual damage in their farms, attributed to the fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith). This pest was first recorded in Africa in 2016, but detailed information on its distribution and damage and farmer's response in invaded areas are largely lacking. In this study, we determined FAW distribution, genetic diversity, host plants, crop damage, and farmers' responses. S. frugiperda was recorded in the 10 regions of Cameroon. Average percentage of infested plants and damage severity (on a scale of 1 to 5) were lowest-20.7 ± 7.4% and 2.1 ± 0.1 respectively-in the Sahelian regions and greatest-69.0 ± 4.3% and 3.1 ± 0.1 respectively-in the Western Highlands. Altitude did not influence FAW incidence and severity and its lar

SUBMITTER: Fotso Kuate A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6488053 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature