Control of Four-spotted Fall Armyworms can be achieved through a combination of cultural, biological, and chemical methods. Cultural methods include crop rotation, removal of crop residue, and planting of early-maturing varieties of maize..
- Apply neem cake @ 250 kg/ha at the time of new sowing of the crop in soil. Install one light trap in the field.
- Do not take maize after maize crop. Follow crop rotation.
- Collect & destroy the egg masses mechanically.
- On initiation of the infestation, spray neem base formulation @ 40 ml (1500 ppm) to 10 ml (10000 ppm) per 10 liter of water.
- On higher incidence, spray chlorpyriphos 20 EC 20 ml or spinosad 45 SC 3 ml or emamactin benzoate 5 SG @ 4 g or chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC 3 ml per 10 liter of water. See that leaf whorl should be properly covered with spray.
In addition to these control measures, farmers can also take steps to prevent the spread of Four-spotted Fall Armyworms. This includes regularly scouting their fields, early detection and reporting of infestations, and avoiding the movement of infested plant material.
It is also important for farmers to be aware of the potential for insecticide resistance and to implement integrated pest management strategies to minimize the risk of resistance development.
