Understanding the seasonal patterns of Spodoptera frugiperda (J E Smith, 1797) infestation in the Gird Region of Madhya Pradesh, India

Abstract

Insect pest incidence in maize crops should be understood to implement timely and targeted pest control measures. The present research experiment was conducted at the Entomology Research Farm, College of Agriculture, Gwalior, M. P., during two consecutive years, i.e., Kharif 2021–22 and Kharif 2022–23, with the aim to assess the seasonal incidence of S. frugiperda in maize crop and its correlation with abiotic factors. The results revealed that the larval population of S. frugiperda was first observed in the 31^st SMW and peaked in the 35^th SMW during both 2021 and 2022. Furthermore, the lowest percentage of plant damage was also recorded in the 31^st SMW during both years, with its peak at the 36^th SMW, and thereafter, plant damage gradually decreased in the 44th SMW. The population of S. frugiperda during Kharif season 2021 demonstrated a significant positive relationship with the minimum temperature (Min temp), r = 0.823, p < 0.0001* during Kharif season 2021 and r = 0.781, p < 0.0010* during Kharif 2022.