Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a highly damaging pest of agricultural crops, particularly of maize. As screening of the available crop germplasm is an integral part of integrated pest management programs, the main objective of this research was the screening of available maize varieties, including both hybrid and non-hybrid varieties, against S. frugiperda larval infestation. The seeds of available maize varieties were sown in the field under RCBD, and one-month old plants were artificially infested with laboratory-reared 3^rd instar larvae of S. frugiperda. Data regarding larval infestation and plant damage were assessed using a literature-based damage scale. Moreover, the comparative feeding preference and performance of S. frugiperda larvae were determined in the laboratory under controlled conditions. The overall highest and lowest larval weight gain was observed for Dekalb-6321(27.12 mg) and YH-5427 (15.55 mg), respectively. Maximum and minimum leaf consumption was recorded for Dekalb-6321 (378 mg) and Gohar-19 (297 mg), respectively. The maximum and minimum relative consumption rate was recorded for the varieties YH-5427 (66.79 mg/mg/day) and Mercury (16.27 mg/mg/day), respectively. Regarding relative growth rate (RGR), the larvae of S. frugiperda showed maximum growth when offered leaves of maize varieties Super Green (0.71 mg/mg/day) and Dekalb-6321 (0.48 mg/mg/day). Similarly, maximum ingested food conversion efficiency (ECI) was observed in Super Green (7.47%), followed by Pioneer-1429 (7.43%) and G-7 (7.33%). According to William’s leaf damage scale, the highest levels of in situ leaf damage by lab-reared larvae were recorded on the Mercury (7.33) and Afgoi (6.48) varieties, while the minimum levels of damage were observed on Pioneer (5.20) and YH-5427 (5.41). The findings of this laboratory and field experiment showed the differential feeding preferences of S. frugiperda for the evaluated maize varieties.