Invasive alien insects have the potential to pose a significant threat to global agriculture, with their distinctive traits enabling rapid reproduction, successful adaptation to new environments and high distribution capability. These pests can devastate crops, livestock, biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, resulting in ecological damage and substantial economic losses. Climate change plays a crucial role in driving the invasion of these pests, creating favorable conditions for their development, and negatively impacting global biodiversity. Among invasive alien insects, fall armyworm (FAW) (Spodoptera frugiperda) (JE Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) has emerged as a major pest species, causing significant yield losses in maize cropping outside his native range. Initially, reliance on pesticides for control proved ineffective and led to pesticide resistance. Significant progress has been made in implementing integrated pest management (IPM) strategies that integrate agro-ecological and biological approaches. This review article focuses on the compilation of IPM methods, combining agro-ecological practices and biological control agents such as parasitoids and viruses, for the effective management of FAW. Approaches such as intercropping, agronomic practices, and the use of parasitoids and viruses have shown promising results in controlling FAW. This review article provides insights into successful management methods, recommendations and suggestions for the sustainable control of FAW using agro-ecological practices, biological control agents or their combination.

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, a major pest in maize production, was assessed for its temporal and spatial distribution in maize fields during both the dry and rainy seasons of 2021 and 2022 in two agroecological regions in Benin (zone 6 and 8). Zone 6 (AEZ 6) “called zone of terre de barre” (Southern and Central Benin) consisted of ferralitic soils, a Sudano-Guinean climate (two rainy seasons alternating with two dry seasons) with a rainfall ranging between 800 and 1400 mm of rainfall per year; while zone 8 (AEZ 8) called “fisheries region” (Southern Benin” is characterized by coastal gleysols and arenosols with a Sudano-Guinean climate and a rainfall of 900–1400 mm of rainfall per year. In this study, 30 and 50 maize plants were randomly sampled using a “W” pattern during the dry and rainy seasons, respectively. Larval density, larval infestation rates, and damage severity were monitored over time. Taylor’s power law and the mean crowding aggregation index were applied to evaluate the dispersion patterns of the larvae. The results indicate a higher larval infestation rate and larval density in AEZ 8 compared to AEZ 6 during the dry season. In the rainy season, while the percentage of damaged plants was higher in AZE 8, no significant differences in larval density between the two zones were observed. The dispersion analysis revealed moderate aggregation (aggregation index = 1.25) with a basic colony of 2.08 larvae, i.e., an average initial cluster of 2.08 larvae observed per plant, reflecting the aggregation oviposition behavior of FAW. This study provides valuable monitoring data on the FAW’s distribution, offering insights for further research on population dynamics and developing predictive models for integrated pest management strategies.

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, a major pest in maize production, was assessed for its temporal and spatial distribution in maize fields during both the off and rainy seasons of 2021 and 2022. In this study, 30 and 50 maize plants were randomly sampled using a "W" pattern during the dry and rainy seasons, respectively. Larval density, infestation rates, and damage severity were monitored over time. Taylor's power law and the mean crowding aggregation index were applied to evaluate the dispersion patterns of the larvae. The results indicate a higher infestation rate and larval density in agroecological zone AZE 8 (fisheries zone of South Benin) compared to AZE 6 (ferralitic soils zone) during the off-season. In the rainy season, while the percentage of damaged plants was higher in AZE 8, no significant differences in larval density between the two zones were observed. The dispersion analysis revealed moderate aggregation (aggregation index = 1.25) with a basic colony of 2.08 larvae, reflecting the aggregation oviposition behavior of FAW. This study provides valuable monitoring data on the FAW's distribution, offering insights for further research on population dynamics and developing predictive models for integrated pest management strategies.