Govind Tekale
A concerning shift is happening across rice fields in Asia. The fall armyworm, a destructive pest known primarily for attacking corn crops, is now targeting rice — putting at risk a crop that feeds billions of people.
According to a new study published in the journal CABI Reviews, this pest poses a significant threat to Asian rice production, which accounts for over two-thirds of global rice output.
A Formidable Pest
The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is not your average crop pest. Its rapid reproduction cycle, extensive dispersal capabilities, and remarkable adaptability make it particularly dangerous. Female fall armyworms can lay hundreds of eggs that develop into destructive larvae, capable of spreading quickly across fields.
What makes this situation more alarming is the recent shift in behavior. Dr. Lekhnath Kafle, Associate Professor at the National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, and Dr. Ravindra Chandra Joshi, Senior Consultant of the Philippine Rice Research Institute, report a concerning development: the corn-specialized fall armyworm strain is now moving toward rice cultivation in Asia.
Beyond Crop Damage
The impact goes beyond direct yield losses. When fall armyworm infestations occur, farmers often respond with excessive pesticide use. This creates serious threats to human health and environmental safety, adding another layer to this agricultural challenge.
“This review emphasizes the critical role of Integrated Pest Management in combating fall armyworm in Asia,” says Dr. Kafle. He advocates for “a balanced approach that prioritizes biological control, effective cultural practices, judicious use of insecticides, and sustainable agricultural methods to mitigate fall armyworm damage and ensure long-term rice security for the region.”
Sustainable Solutions
The study highlights several management strategies that could help farmers fight this pest:
Cultural Control
Simple farming practices can make a big difference. Staggered planting disrupts the pest’s lifecycle, while deep tillage helps eliminate larvae from the soil. Crop rotation with plants that aren’t hosts to the fall armyworm and better field sanitation can effectively reduce populations.
The researchers note that while methods like trap cropping and push-pull strategies show promise, they still need more field testing in rice systems.
Natural Enemies
Nature already provides some solutions. Biological control measures utilize natural predators such as big-eyed bugs and ground beetles, along with parasitoids like Telenomus remus and Campoletis sonorensis.
Dr. Joshi explains, “By prioritizing research and implementing IPM approaches, the agricultural community can effectively mitigate the devastating effects of fall armyworm on rice yields and safeguard the stability of global food supplies.”
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Eco-Friendly Alternatives
The researchers highlight promising developments in environmentally sustainable options. Entomopathogenic agents like Metarhizium rileyi, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), and Beauveria bassiana offer alternatives to chemical insecticides.
This shift toward eco-friendly solutions is becoming more necessary as the fall armyworm develops resistance to multiple insecticide classes, leading to economic losses for farmers who rely on these chemicals.
Future Research Directions
The absence of rice varieties resistant to fall armyworm underscores the urgent need for accelerated development through genetic engineering, according to the researchers.
They suggest two promising avenues for future research:
- Harnessing the power of the microbiome by optimizing the rice plant microbiome to promote bacteria and fungi capable of suppressing fall armyworm populations.
- Enhancing biological control agents, which are already the cornerstone of fall armyworm management, by improving the effectiveness of parasitoid wasps and entomopathogenic fungi.
Understanding the complex interplay between host plant resistance, insect behavior, and population dynamics within rice ecosystems will be crucial for developing effective management strategies.
As this pest continues to threaten a crop that feeds billions, research and implementation of integrated pest management approaches will be vital to protect global food security. The full research paper can be read open access at: https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/cabireviews.2025.0017
