Occurrences and bio-control potential of natural enemies of fall army worm, Spodoptera Frugiperda: a comprehensive review

Abstract

Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is one of the most destructive invasive pests affecting maize and other cereal crops worldwide. Since its introduction into Africa in 2016, the pest has spread rapidly across Sub-Saharan Africa and several Asian countries, causing significant yield losses and threatening food security. This review evaluated the occurrence and biocontrol potential of natural enemies of fall armyworm through a systematic assessment of published literature obtained from scientific journals, institutional reports, textbooks, conference proceedings, and online databases. Information on the biology, distribution, natural enemies, and biological control strategies of fall armyworm was synthesized and analyzed.The review revealed that fall armyworm possesses high reproductive capacity, broad host range, and strong dispersal ability, enabling rapid establishment in newly invaded regions. Several natural enemies were identified, including parasitoids, predators, bacteria, viruses, and entomopathogenic fungi. Key parasitoids such as Telenomus remus, Trichogramma pretiosum, Chelonus insularis, and Cotesia marginiventris were found to effectively suppress egg and larval populations. Entomopathogenic fungi including Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae demonstrated considerable pathogenicity, with reported mortality rates ranging from 30% to 87%. Predators such as Doru luteipes, ladybird beetles, ants, and carabid beetles also contributed significantly to reducing pest populations.The effectiveness of natural enemies was influenced by environmental conditions, habitat diversity, cropping systems, and pesticide use. Conservation agriculture, habitat management, and reduced reliance on broad-spectrum insecticides enhanced biological control performance. The review concludes that integrating parasitoids, predators, and microbial pathogens into integrated pest management programs provides a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach for managing fall armyworm populations while reducing dependence on synthetic pesticides and promoting long-term agricultural productivity.