Spodoptera frugiperda, a global threat to food security: a review on bioecology, genetics, and innovative control strategies
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Nickolas Kavallieratos, Waqas Wakil, Demeter Lorentha Gidari, Maria Boukouvala, Constantin S. Filintas, Muhammad Usman Ghazanfar, Hamadttu ElShafie, Komivi Senyo Akutse, Saliou Niassy, Henri Tonnang, Richard Ian Samuels, Gerson Adriano Silva, Ludimila Simões Peçanha, Abdullahi Ahmed Yusuf, Abdul Basit, Tong-Xian Liu, Wangpeng Shi, Zhaozhi Lu, Juan Luis Jurat-Fuentes. (9/7/2026). Spodoptera frugiperda, a global threat to food security: a review on bioecology, genetics, and innovative control strategies. entomologia generalis.
Abstract
The fall armyworm (FAW) is a highly polyphagous pest native to the Americas that has become a global threat to food security through its rapid invasion across Africa, Asia, Oceania, and initial incursions in Europe. Feeding on > 350 plant species, FAW outbreaks have caused severe yield losses (~70% in some regions) and more than 13 billion USD in economic damage annually. This review synthesizes current knowledge of the biology, genetics, and ecology of FAW, emphasizing its remarkable adaptability, detoxification mechanisms, and resistance to insecticides. It outlines the complex global invasion pathways and the host strain-specific genetic variability. Management strategies, including microorganisms and combinations of microbials with chemicals are critically assessed. The high efficacy of these combinations vs. single treatments is highlighted further advocating integrated pest management. Emerging tools such as RNA interference, CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, and microbial symbiont methods show promising potential. This review also underscores the impact of climate change on prediction of the expansion of FAW into new regions, thus triggering the establishment of effective management strategies.
