PEST MANAGEMENT DECISION GUIDE: GREEN AND YELLOW LIST
Fall armyworm on maize
Spodoptera frugiperda
Fall armyworm caterpillar (Russ
Ottens, University of Georgia,
Bugwood.org)
Fall armyworm damage in
whorl of maize (Victor Clottey,
CABI)
Egg mass of S. frugiperda
(Desiree van Heerden,
Syngenta)
Prevention Monitoring Direct Control Direct Control Restrictions
l Avoid late or off- l Start monitoring after maize germination. l Handpick and l Insecticides and bio-pesticides are only effective on young
season planting l Visit field weekly or biweekly to inspect for destroy egg caterpillars before they enter ears or funnel. Spray in early
and avoid planting chewed leaves, feeding frass, and caterpillars masses and morning or evening since caterpillars are less active during the
new crop near caterpillars day and hide.
infested fields l Look for creamy/grey egg masses covered in silk
located on the underside or top of the leaves and l Apply neem-
l Plant early based products.
l Spray only according to needs identified by monitoring (including
on the stem decision for a second application)
maturing maize Disrupts insect
varieties; e.g. l Look for light green/dark brown caterpillars with moulting and
l Use different sort of insecticides each time to avoid resistance
Longe1, Longe4 longitudinal stripes, dark head with an upside also shows anti-
down pale Y-shaped. The second-to-last body build up.
and Longe5 feedant and
(National Research segment has 4 dark spots forming a square. Do repellent
so in early morning or evening hours. l Use WHO class III or U pesticide if possible and minimise usage
Organisation properties
of WHO class II chemicals for own safety and protection of natural
NARO) l Look for light coloured patches (called "window
enemies which will help in pest control. Look at national registered
l Ensure optimum panes") to large ragged and elongated holes in
list of MAAIF of Uganda. Always check label for details and wear
use of fertilizer for the leaves emerging from the whorl
appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
strong maize plants l Large caterpillars can also burrow into the side
able to compensate of the cobs and feed on the kernels, which can l Spray with Bacillus l WHO toxicity class III (Slightly
for damage done lead to rot thuringiensis kurstaki or hazardous). REI 1 hour. PHI
l Keep the l At early whorl stage, take action if >20% of aizawai –products IRAC 1 day. Selective bio-pesticide,
surrounding the plot plants are damaged or infested with larvae. At GROUP 11A thus no effects on beneficials.
free of grass weeds late whorl stage, if small larvae can be found
then consider taking control measures if >40% of l Lambda cyhalothrin–products l WHO class II (moderately
l Do not move (e.g Agro-Lambdacin Super acute hazardous). REI 24
infested plant whorls are damaged. At tassel and silk stage, do
not spray anymore 315 EC); Quick acting contact hours. PHI 21 days. Toxic to
material from the and ingesting insecticide; IRAC beneficials.
farm to reduce GROUP 3A pyrethroids
spread but rather
clear and feed to
livestock
Uganda
CREATED/UPDATED:
AUTHOR(S): Sheila Namuwaya (Uganda Christian University, Mukono, Uganda)
EDITED BY: Plantwise
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