Impact of Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), on maize yield in humid tropical zones of Central Africa

Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda Smith, became the most important pest of maize in Africa in 2016. High yield losses across the continent were predicted. The current pesticide-based response to fall armyworm infestation is largely derived from previous experience in the Americas, which might not be adapted to the African continent. The objectives of the two projects, LIMFA (Local Innovation for Managing Fall Armyworm) and Feed The Future DRC Fall Armyworm Activity, were to validate the efficacy of different management options and determine the cost-effectiveness to guide agroecosystem-specific development of environmentally sustainable management of S. frugiperda.