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Member Symposium

Plant-Insect Ecosystems

Tomorrow's Rice Pests Are on the Move, How Can Our Entomology Science Stop Them Today?

Efficacy of the parasitoid Telenomus remus (Nixon, 1937) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) as biological control agent against the fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Cambodia

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

4:50 PM – 5:10 PM MST

Location: Phoenix Convention Center, 122 C, PCC

Presenting Author(s)

Sokheng Keo (he/him/his)

Associate Scientist
International Rice Research Institute
Phnom Penh, Phnom Penh, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Co-Author(s)

RF

Rica Joy Flor

International Rice Research Institute, Cambodia
SO

Samoul Oeurn

Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries, Cambodia
TN

Ti Nit

Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
SK

Sokvisal Kong

Cambodian Agricultural Research and Development Institute, Cambodia
SH

Sovanroth Heng

Cambodian Agricultural Research and Development Institute, Cambodia
SK

Sathya Khay

Cambodian Agricultural Research and Development Institute, Cambodia
NP

Nurmi Pangesti

Country Representative for Cambodia
Khan Tuol Kok, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

The invasive fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda, FAW) has been a significant threat to smallholder maize farmers in Cambodia since its incursion to maize fields in 2019. Generally, maize farmers apply insecticides to manage FAW infestation. In response to the general trend of insecticide use for FAW control, sustainable strategies are urgently needed. This study explored the use of natural enemies, specifically augmenting the field population of the indigenous egg parasitoid Telenomus remus, as part of an IPM approach. The field study was conducted over two seasons using a replicated, randomized block design, comparing plots with released T. remus parasitoids (1,500 egg masses per hectare) with control plots without parasitoid release. Results indicated a significant effect of T. remus release and season on FAW larval populations, The number of FAW larvae was statistically different between the parasitoid release and non-parasitoid release treatments (T = -2.756, P = 0.033) within each season and between seasons (F = 597.564, P = 0.001). There was reduced leaf damage observed over time, particularly during the dry season. However, parasitoid release had no effect on maize tassel, ear, kernel and crop yield. Emphasizing nature-based solutions for sustainable pest management, this study demonstrates the potential benefit of utilizing locally occurring T. remus parasitoids for FAW control in the field. Further studies are recommended to understand the dynamics of FAW during the wet and dry seasons and to improve the efficacy of egg parasitoids for practical field applications.