Work

Low levels of Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith) damage in Bangladesh are linked to farmers’ integrated pest management practices and weather conditions

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Fall Armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda , is recognized as a major threat to maize production in Africa, the Americas (its native range in North, Central, and South America), and increasingly in Asia following its recent spread across the continent. This study presents a comprehensive assessment of FAW pest dynamics and yield impacts in Bangladesh, focusing on the efficacy of agroecological, cultural and chemical pest management practices. Multi-year data (2019–2022) on FAW population dynamics were collected through nationwide monitoring, farmer surveys, and satellite-based landscape diversity assessments across 31 out of 64 districts. Using structural equation modeling (SEM), we analyzed relationships among FAW damage at different maize growth stages to yield, given agronomic practices, and environmental variables. Our results suggest that FAW damage in Bangladesh ranged from 7.8 to 9.8% yield loss, which was significantly lower than 11.6% reported in Zimbabwe, 17–24% in India, 32% in Ethiopia and 47% in Kenya. Yield losses associated with indicators of vegetative and cob damage ranged from 0.78 t ha -1 in 2020 to 0.98 t ha -1 in 2022, but overall productivity remained above 9 t ha -1 . Integrated pest management practices embedding agroecological principles, that harness ecological processes and reduce reliance on external inputs—such as minimum tillage, intercropping, diversified cropping systems, mechanical and manual weed control, and larval handpicking, consistently reduced crop damage. Monitoring data were strongly correlated with field-level symptoms, reinforcing the value of pheromone traps in guiding integrated pest management (IPM) decisions. Results highlight the effectiveness of non-chemical strategies and suggest that blanket pesticide applications without field scouting may be unnecessary under current FAW pressure. These findings support evidence-based IPM policies and encourage resource-efficient pest management in Bangladesh.

Source: Scientific Reports

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-73079-5