Bio-Intensive Tactics for the Management of Invasive Fall Armyworm for Organic Maize Production

<i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i> (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is an invasive pest native to the American continent. The present study focused on bio-intensive tactics like intercropping, using natural enemies, botanical insecticides and biopesticides for managing <i>S. frugiperda</i> for the organic production of maize in Indian conditions. A total of eight different parasitoids attacking the different stages of <i>S. frugiperda viz.,</i> eggs and larvae were found in the study area. The total parasitism rate due to all the parasitoids ranged from 28.37 to 42.44%. The egg-larval parasitoid, <i>Chelonus formosanus</i> Sonan (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) was the dominant parasitoid (12.55%), followed by <i>Chelonus</i> nr. <i>blackburni</i> (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) (10.98%) and <i>Coccygydium</i> sp. (4.85%). About 36.58 percent of the egg masses collected was parasitized by egg parasitoids, among which <i>Telenomus remus</i> (Nixon) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) was the dominant parasitoid. The botanicals insecticides such as citronella and annona extract were most effective, resulting in 100% mortality of FAW larvae (168 h after treatment). The essential oil of garlic (100%) was found highly effective in inhibiting egg hatching, followed by geraniol (90.76%). The maize intercropped with lady’s finger (okra) recorded significantly the lowest pest infestation and recorded higher grain yield (6.17 q/ha) than other intercropping systems and control (5.10 q/ha). The overall bioefficacy of commercial biopesticides against the larvae of <i>S. frugiperda</i> was in the following order azadirachtin > <i>Metarhizium anisopliae</i> (Metch.) Sorokin (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) > <i>Beauveria bassiana</i> (Balsamo) Vuillemin (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) at 168 h after treatment.