Effectiveness of native entomopathogenic fungi against fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda J.E Smith) in Kenya

The fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E Smith) is an important pest of some of the major crops grown around the world. Its control is mainly by use of insecticides which with frequent use pose risks to human health and the environment. The objective of this study was to determine the potential of using entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) as a biological control for this pest. A laboratory experiment was carried out at Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO)-National Sericulture Research Centre (NSRC), Thika where field-collected entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) were tested for their efficacy against FAW. A fungal suspension was made from fall armyworm cadavers collected from different parts of the country in 2018 and used to infect healthy FAW. The results showed that native fungal isolates could cause mortality of the fall armyworm caterpillars. The mortality of the fall armyworm caterpillar started five days after treatment. The cadavers were covered with white mycelia resulting in a characteristic white muscardine appearance and causing 69% mortality. The results reveal presence of native entomopathogenic fungus in the country, which can be exploited for development of an effective bio-control agent for the management of the fall armyworm.