Association of a Global Invasive Pest Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) with Local Parasitoids: Prospects for a New Approach in Selecting Biological Control Agents.

Spodopotera frugiperda is a worldwide invasive pest that has caused significant economic damage. According to the classical biological control approach, natural enemies that can control invasive pests come from the same area of origin as the pests that have experienced coadaptation processes. However, the new association's approach suggests that local natural enemies are equally capable of controlling invasive pests. Due to the lack of data on the association of S. frugiperda and local natural enemies, research was conducted through a rapid survey to study the diversity of parasitoids associated with S. frugiperda. The results showed 15 parasitoid species associated with S. frugiperda. Four egg parasitoids, eight larval parasitoids, and three larval-pupal parasitoids were found to be associated with S. frugiperda for three years after it was first discovered in Indonesia. Eleven of them are new reports of parasitoids associated with S. frugiperda in Indonesia. A new association was found between S. frugiperda and twelve parasitoid species, consisting of three egg parasitoids (Platygasteridaesp.01, Platygasteridaesp.02, and Telenomus remus), six larval parasitoids (Apanteles sp., Microplitis sp., Campoletis sp., Coccygidium sp., Eupelmus sp., and Stenobracon sp.), and three larval-pupal parasitoids (Brachymeria lasus, B. femorata, and Charops sp.). Telenomus remus is the most dominant parasitoid, with a higher abundance and parasitism rate. The result suggests another method for selecting biological control using the new association approach since local natural enemies can foster quick adaptation to invasive pests.

Survival, Development, and Fecundity of Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on Various Host Plant Species and Their Implication for Pest Management.

Spodoptera frugiperda is Indonesia's relatively new invasive polyphagous insect pest. So far, S. frugiperda infestation has only been reported in corn and rice in Indonesia. However, S. frugiperda is known to feed on many commercial crops in other countries. To date, information on the biological parameters of S. frugiperda is limited in Indonesian ecologies. Since host plants are a critical factor for insect life history and have the potential to be used for pest control strategies, it is essential to study the biology and survival of S. frugiperda on different host plants. This research aimed to investigate the survival, development time, and fecundity of S. frugiperda on other host plant species to predict possible infestation rates for use in pest management. The study was conducted by rearing S. frugiperda on 14 common cultivated host plant species in Indonesia. The survival rate, development time, fecundity, and potential attack rate of S. frugiperda on various tested host plants were analyzed in this study. The findings revealed that corn was the primary host for S. frugiperda. The ability of S. frugiperda to survive on papaya, water spinach, banana, spinach, cucumber, and coco grass indicates that these plants are potential alternate hosts for S. frugiperda. Long beans, bok choy, choy sum, and beans might be indicated as a shelter for S. frugiperda. Meanwhile, inappropriate hosts for S. frugiperda include cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower due to their low survival rate on these plants. This research indicates that these plants have the potential to be used as a hedge, trap, or bunker plant in S. frugiperda management strategies. However, to prevent detrimental damage, control methods are needed in an integrated manner, including monitoring pest populations, habitat manipulation, and conservation of natural enemies.