Influence of Meteorological Factors on Population Dynamics of Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, Lepidoptera: Noctuidae and its Varietal Susceptiblilty to FAW

The invasive armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a key pest of maize that has invaded Pakistan causing severe damage and yield losses. The current investigation was directed to visualize fall armyworm infestation on eight of the different maize varieties. Correlation analysis of FAW infestation with weather factors revealed that temperature (max., mean, and min.) had a weak positive effect on fall armyworm infestation (r = 0.139, r = 0.149 and r = 0.159, respectively) while relative humidity played a weak negative (r = -0.104) role in FAW population build-up. A seasonal mean infestation of the pest found maximum on Malka-16 which was statistically higher than any other variety. The lowest invasion was recorded on the P1543 Hybrid (P < 0.05). Similarly, the infestation was significantly highest in the 1^st half of November (P < 0.05), a decline in pest population build-up was seen in December possibly by cold weather.