The fall armyworm is a growing concern for farmers around the world, impacting food security in over 80 countries. This pest is notorious for damaging corn crops and other agricultural produce. But there’s a promising new twist in the battle against this worm: Australian fungi that may destroy them from the inside out.
Fall armyworms, scientifically known as Spodoptera frugiperda, are native to Central and South America. Over the last few years, they’ve spread widely, aided by global trade and winds, reaching places like Europe, Asia, and Africa. They can lay up to 2,000 eggs in their lifetime, and their larvae are quick to cause severe damage to crops within just a week. Sadly, they are also difficult for farmers to detect until the damage has been done.
According to a recent report, pests like the fall armyworm can rapidly develop resistance to chemical pesticides. This challenge has pushed scientists and farmers to look for alternative solutions, such as introducing viruses that infect the worms or using natural extracts. However, these methods often face barriers in terms of cost and effectiveness on a large scale.
Now, researchers from Australia’s Department of Primary Industries have discovered at least five types of native fungi that can attack fall armyworms within a day of exposure. One promising species, Nomuraea rileyi, coats the worm’s skin and then invades its body, consuming it from the inside. Researchers recently discussed this exciting finding during a meeting on fall armyworm management.
In addition to N. rileyi, another team found additional fungi, including some strains of Beauveria bassiana, which can kill about 75% of armyworms within 48 hours. These fungi are natural to the environment, raising hopes that they won’t harm other species or ecosystems if implemented carefully.
Wee Tek Tay, a biologist from CSIRO, noted that while this biological approach shows promise, careful planning is crucial. Using these fungi incorrectly could lead to resistance, similar to what happens with traditional pesticides. But overall, experts believe that the impact of these biological agents would be much less severe on the environment compared to chemical options.
Research is ongoing, and the next steps include evaluating the ecological effects of deploying these fungi and working towards getting N. rileyi approved for use by farmers. In a world increasingly concerned with sustainable agriculture, these biological control methods could mark a turning point in managing pests like the fall armyworm.
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