SKUAST-Jammu issues Pest alert on fall armyworm (Spodopterafrugiperda)

Jammu :In view of serious attack of fall armyworm in the districts of Rajouri, Udhampur, Jammu, Reasi and parts of Kathua, the Division of Entomology, SKUAST-J has urged the field functionaries of Agricultural Production Department (APD) and Farming communities to forecast the pest incidence and damage caused by this pest.
“If the pest incidence by FAW has been evident in the farmers’ field, following precautionary measures must be undertaken. Even if the infestation is not observed preventive measures with botanical and microbial pesticides should be started with eco-friendly practices like 5% Neem Seed Kernel Emulsion (NSKE) or Azadirachtin 1500 ppm @ 5ml/lt of water or Bacillus thuringiensis variety kurstaki commercial formulations @ 2gm/lt water or Entomopathogenic fungi Metarhiziumanisopliae (1 x 108 cfu/gm) @ 5 gm/lt and /or Nomuraea riley rice grain formulation (1 x 108 cfu/gm) @ 3 gm/lt water” the advisory reads.
In case of severe damage application of chemical pesticides is necessary including Spinetoram 11.7% SC @ 0.5 ml/l of water; Chlorantraniliprole (Koragen) 18.5% SC @ 0.4 ml/l of water; Thiamethoxam 12.6 % + Lambda cyhalothrin 9.5% ZC @ 0.25 ml/l of water; Spinosad 45 SC 0.5 ml/ l of water or chloropyriphos 20EC 2.5 ml/l of water or fipronil 5 % SC @ 1 ml per litre of water
For enabling the farmers to identify the pest and its nature of damage, a guideline has been issued and once again listed as under.
The pest appears in shades of green, olive, tan and grey with four black spots in each abdominal segment and has three creamy yellow lines running down its back. It is easily identified from any other armyworm species by its tail end, where the black spots are bigger and arranged in square pattern on abdominal segment 8 and trapezoid on segment 9. The head has a predominant white, inverted Y-shaped suture between eyes.Its nature of includes, firstly elongated papery windows of all sizes are seen spread all over the leaves. This symptom is caused by 1st and 2nd instar FAW larvae which feed by scraping on leaf surface. Secondly, 3rd larval instars colonize in the whorls causing ragged- edged holes. The size of holes increases with growth of larvae. Final stage is extensive leaf damage by 5th instar, it feeds voraciously, losing larger areas of leaves. Sixth instar larva extensively defoliate the leaves and produce large amounts of faecal matter.
It was also impressed upon that the farmers should use best quality insecticides (Standard company products) avoiding the spurious ones. Proper precautionary measures should be taken while using insecticides, such as bearing gloves and masks while preparing and application of chemical spray; they must adhere to use recommended dosage of insecticides and select right type of hollow cone nozzle and proper volume of water(32 litre per kanal).
In case of any further query, the farmers can reach experts through the Kisan Call Centre of SKUAST Jammu using their toll-free number (1800-180-7196).