The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, is one of the most important invasive pests worldwide, resulting in considerable losses in host crops. FAW comprises two genetic strains, such as the “rice strain”, which prefers rice and other grass species, and the “maize strain”, which feeds upon maize and sorghum. Potential control measures are generally more applicable to the farmers who lack financial assets to buy chemical insecticides or costly pure seeds. The adverse effects of pesticides on the ecosystem and human’s health and the development of resistance to insect pests have exaggerated efforts to find an alternative strategy that is cost-effective, low-risk and target-specific. Therefore, biological control is widely considered as one of the most important options for insect pest management. This comprehensive review amasses the information on biological control in all phases of their development, including predators, parasitoids, entomopathogenic fungi, viruses, nematodes, bacteria, and biopesticides, with a special focus on their effectiveness against FAW. The findings regarding biological control are briefly discussed in light of improving management programs of the invasive pest S. frugiperda.

Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), often called the Asian corn borer, is a complicated pest because of its complex biological features, such as its adult dynamics, host choice, and life span. This complexity has been causing difficulties in both pest forecasting and control for more than 60 years. One likely explanation for this complexity is that O. furnacalis has several varieties that vary based on some specific features. During 2015–2017, postmedial line-based varieties of male O. furnacalis were identified as distinct clades (I, II, and III), which were then compared based on COI gene sequences, male sacculus construction, life span, male dynamics, and host preference. The results showed that: (1) clades II and III were more closely related to each other than Clade I, because they both completed two generations per year, more were captured in 2016 or fewer were captured in 2015, and they were more closely related according to phylogenetic inference; (2) all three clades shared some features, such as life spans under various rearing conditions, similar dynamic trends, and three teeth on the male sacculus; and (3) all three clades were significantly different from O. nubilalis based on genetic sequences, postmedial line pattern of the forewing, and sacculus construction. Overall, if O. furnacalis is categorized into clades, the species’ features are likely to be a combination or mixture of the features of each individual clade. Our findings help explain the biological complexity of O. furnacalis. Future investigations on each individual clade are essential for improving forecasting and control of this pest.

In this paper, three new species of the genus Leipothrix from China are described and illustrated: Leipothrix houttuyniae sp. nov. on Houttuynia cordata Thunb. (Saururaceae), Leipothrix rubicordis sp. nov. on Rubia cordifolia L. (Rubiaceae), Leipothrix sambucus sp. nov. on Sambucus javanica Blume (Adoxaceae). All are vagrants causing no apparent damage to their host plants. A key to species of Leipothrix in China are provided.

A new mite species belonging to Eriophyidae (Trombidiformes: Eriophyoidea) from Jilin Province, northeastern China, is described and illustrated. Leipothrix argutae sp. nov. causes rust on its host plant, Actinidia arguta (Siebold & Zucc.) Planch. ex Miq. (Actinidiaceae), commonly known as hardy kiwi fruit. Protogyne and deutogyne morphs were found and described.