Fall armyworm brochure

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Fall Armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda

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Biorational solutions

Pest biology

FAW: an aggressive pest destroying staple crops

Native to the Americas, Fall armyworm (FAW) has been rapidly spreading throughout Africa. Farmers have been forced to re-plant their crops, with hundreds of thousands of hectares of maize and millet ruined in Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Location-dependent lifecycle

30-days completion of the lifecycle with 4-6 generations per year. In Africa, the

Fall armyworm is a voracious pest in staple crops. As soon as they run out of food, the caterpillars migrate to neighbouring plots.

The insect pupates in the soil and appears as egg-laying moths in the same location.

Larvae are difficult to detect, resistant to insecticides.

Prefers maize, all grains crops and grasses, but can also feed on alfalfa, bean, peanut, potato, sweet potato, turnip, spinach, tomato, cabbage, cucumber, cotton and tobacco.

moths are present throughout the year.

Leaves eaten by fall armyworm caterpillars

Maize cob affected by fall armyworm

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Domeshaped eggs in a typical mass

Photo credit: cabi.org

Lightcoloured inverted “Y� on front of head

Larva on bermuda grass.

Adult moth

Pheromone-based monitoring Monitoring the pest can help prevent infestations and contain the Fall armyworm population before it grows out of control.

Xlure-FAW, Russell IPM’s latest pheromone lure, uses a sex pheromone attractant to trap the FAW moths. This lure should best be applied before the emergence of the first FAW generation and until the end of the season.

Provided in a rubber septa, the attractant lasts for 4-6 weeks.

The Xlure-FAW has been extensively tested in South Africa, where Russell IPM’s F2-RS lure demonstrated the best results compared to the other published pheromone formulations.

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The Mothcatcher is the best trap for dispensing the lure. It is a plastic funnel trap with cage lure holder, which incorporates the septa with the FAW sex pheromone. Use 1-2 traps per ha, attaching the Mothcatcher above crop height with the help of supporting posts.

Raise the traps as the maize plant grows to adjust for its new height.

A proven monitoring solution www.russellipm.com

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Comparison of the trap catch counts of Russell IPM FAW pheromone lures trialled in South Africa in February 2017.

Suitable for open field crops in hot climates.

Collects weekly data that can be read for close monitoring of the effect of other pest control methods applied.

Ensures a higher catch rate than the traps available on the market.

Supports IPM programmes as a monitoring device for early detection and prevention.

Fall arm yworm bioratio nal solutions Russell IPM has developed a range of compatible products that can be used as part of an IPM strategy to combat the manifestation of FAW.

FAW

migrates from food source to food source

FAW

adult can lay 1000 eggs, which hatch in two to ten days

FAW

detection can take too long to prevent serious damage

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Russell IPM have a range of IPM solutions

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For preventative control, Russell IPM’s microbial plant booster and soil enhancer, Recharge, can be mixed with the irrigation water and applied to the soil around plant roots. During pupation and to prevent new generations of FAW from emerging, Recharge can be applied to the soil to boost the plants’ natural defence system. This will destroy FAW pupae in the soil.

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For early infestation when eggs are seen, foliar application of Fytomax PM with 0.1% Azadirachtin acts as an ovicide.

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When the larvae are first detected and before they bore into the stem of the host plant, spraying the foliage with Antario and Biotrine will deter their feeding and eliminate the pests. Farmers can alternate foliar applications of Biotrine, a microbial extract, and Antario, a synergised Bacillus thuringiensis formulation.

Biotrine’s action is translaminar, so it is absorbed into the upper foliar surface. Larvae feeding on treated leaves will get a lethal dose. Both Antario and Biotrine provide effective management to FAW larvae without leaving toxic residue in the plant.

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Recharge improves soil health, shifting the focus of any IPM programme from the top to the bottom, from outside to inside.

Recharge is a rich combination of naturally occurring soil microorganisms that promote a healthy soil and are vital to crop health.

Recharge introduces beneficial micro-flora into the soil, making it less welcoming to pupating insect pests.

Recharge stimulates the plants’ physiological vigour, staging symbiotic interactions among plants, triggering the plants’ own defence systems.

An unmatched bio-rational plant immunity enhancer Target Crops

The application of Recharge provides vital background protection to the crop from invasive pests and diseases.

Recharge targets FAW pupae present in the soil, preventing them from emerging.

Alfalfa

Maize

Sugar cane

How to use Recharge

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First application at the planting stage: 250g / 1000 Sq. M

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Best results as a part of integrated programme with Biotrine, Antario and Fytomax PM.

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Recharge is recommended as a preventative measure against fall armyworm.

Note: The use of any fungicides will deactivate Recharge.

Biotrine provides a synergistic blend of Abamectin and plant extracts to stimulate the crop’s natural defence and protect it from insect pests.

Biotrine is a larvacide, affecting the 1st and 2nd instars (FAW larvae).

It triggers the plants’ defence systems to combat pathogens, limiting the possibility for secondary infection through the open wounds caused by fall armyworm.

Biotrine assists the plant in preparing against further attacks from the newly-hatched larvae.

Provides protection against early and advanced leaf damage caused by fall armyworm.

natural biorational larvicide & ovicide Target Crops

Oats

Turnip

Maize

How to use Biotrine

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Foliar application with translaminar movement in leaves to effectively control the larvae of lepidopteran pests.

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In combination with Fytomax, prolongs its effect.

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50-60 ml /100 L of water Apply every 14 days or when required.

Fytomax PM is a biorational product based on neem seed extract, with an active ingredient of 0.1% Azadirachtin.

Fytomax PM is an ovipositional deterrent and acts as an ovicide.

Fytomax PM controls target pests by contact or by ingestion.

A safe & effective bio-rational solution Target Crops

Fytomax PM is an appetite suppressant, thus slowing down and eventually stopping existing FAW damage.

Fytomax PM has multiple modes of action, but primarily works very well when combined with Biotrine.

Alfalfa

Oats

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Mix 250 ml Fytomax with 50 ml of Biotrine per 100 L water.

This insecticide will protect crops from fall armyworm invasion for 10-12 days.

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Wheat

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Spray crops every 7-14 days.

Peanuts

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Leave for 3 days after spraying before harvesting if applied in combination with Biotrine. If applied on its own, leave for 0-1 days.

Antario is a biorational product in powder form, with Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki as its active ingredient in a 0.1% microbial formula.

Antario is a wettable powder containing a special formulation of BT that makes it more powerful than regular BT insecticides.

The microbial mix in the formula provides an additional insect-targeting action, making it more vulnerable to the synergistic effect of Abamectin and BT. Eliminates larvae when ingested.

Natural, eco-friendly solution.

safe biodegradable effective solution Target Crops

Antario works by producing an endotoxin inside the insect larvae, quickly stopping the insect from feeding and then eliminating it. It is effective for the control of larvae of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda.

Sorghum

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Mix 75 - 125 g Antario per 100 ml water. Adjust the proportions and prepare appropriate volume for the area being sprayed.

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Rice

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Spray crops every 7-14 days.

Maize

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Leave for 3 days after spraying before harvesting.

Russell IPM UK Ltd Unit 45, First Avenue, Deeside Ind. Park Flintshire CH5 2NU, UK Phone: +44 (0) 1244 281 333 Fax + 44 (0) 1244 281 878 www.russellipm.com Email: info@russellipm.com www.russellipm.com