Natural Occurrence of Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus (NPV) on Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, J. E. Smith in Maize Crop of Biswanath District, Assam, India
Bidisha Borgohain *
Department of Entomology, Biswanath College of Agriculture, Assam Agricultural University, India.
Nirmali Borah
Department of Entomology, Biswanath College of Agriculture, Assam Agricultural University, India.
Prarthna Rajkumari
Department of Entomology, Biswanath College of Agriculture, Assam Agricultural University, India.
Birinchi Kr. Borah
Department of Entomology, Biswanath College of Agriculture, Assam Agricultural University, India.
Ranima Mishra
Department of Plant Pathology, Biswanath College of Agriculture, Assam Agricultural University, India.
Jayanta Kalita
Department of Agronomy, Biswanath College of Agriculture, Assam Agricultural University, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The Fall Armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), poses a significant threat to maize production globally. The natural occurrence of Nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) on FAW in maize field at PG Research field Biswanath College of Agriculture, Assam, 2024 was investigated. The infected and dead larvae exhibiting the symptoms which resembled NPV infection were identified. Moreover, the infected larvae were collected and reared for further study in the laboratory. The present investigation has highlighted the possibility of NPV as a natural management of FAW populations, potentially offering sustainable management strategies for maize farmers in this region.
Keywords: Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV), biocontrol, maize