Researchers present innovative tools to control fall armyworm

“Trends for the management of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda)” was one of the topics covered at the 33rd edition of the National Corn and Sorghum Congress. The experts explained how the techniques can help rural producers in managing the pest, currently considered one of the largest in corn crops.

The panel was moderated by Amália Borsari, agricultural engineer and director of biological products at CropLife Brasil. The first lecture, “Self-limiting technology for controlling agricultural pests - Spodoptera do bem”, was given by Flávia Enara Furquim, field operations manager at the company Oxitec. It showed the main characteristics and competitive advantages of the ‘good technique’, which was tested in several regions.

“Our technology is proven to be effective and reduces pest loads to very low levels. It works in resistance management, contributing to the protection of other tools also used in pest control. Furthermore, it is economical and easy to use, very safe and non-toxic for people, animals and the environment. Thus, it contributes to the maintenance of ecosystems and biodiversity.”

Then, Tederson Galvan, director of Research & Development at Provivi Brasil, spoke about the “Sexual confusion technique using pheromones”. “This technique is not very new, it is around 40 years old. Pheromones are volatile substances emitted by individuals of the same sex. In communication between insects, the male uses the female's pheromone to find her. In the sexual confusion technique, the female's pheromone is released at levels higher than what occurs in nature and the male is unable to find her,” explained Galvan.

“Provivi's difference was to promote technological innovation to reduce costs and enable application in areas of large crops, such as cotton, corn, soybeans, rice and fruits in general. We are looking at all the systems and pests that can be impacted with the pheromone sexual confusion technique.”

“The product integrates very well with other Integrated Pest Management (IPM) tools, and the reduction in the application of insecticides allows the increase of natural enemies (beneficial insects) in the crop and contributes to the management of insect resistance”, Galvan said.

Positioning the use of bioinsecticides

 “The positioning of the product in the crop, that is, the correct way to apply and when to spray is important and dictates the success of the biological product, but it depends on the target insect, the crop and the region”, stated researcher Fernando Hercos Valicente, from Embrapa Milho, during his participation in the Panel.

In his lecture “Positioning the use of bioinsecticides for biological control”, he explained that the management for controlling pests such as the fall armyworm or the false leafworm and the Helicoverpa armigera can be done with biological inputs, known as bioinsecticides . 

Biotechnology is a tool to support biological control. This management involves parasitoids, pathogens (viruses, bacteria and fungi) and predators. “For those who are going to work with insect diseases, regardless of whether they use baculoviruses, fungi or nematodes, it is necessary to know the pathogen, carrying out molecular and morphological characterization,” said Valicente.

“Management with biological products is different from how they are handled with chemical products. The bioinsecticide with Bt or baculovirus must be ingested by the pest to be effective. Spraying must respect this ingestion factor by the insect and must be done well. You must also observe the most appropriate time. Furthermore, to apply this input in the field it is necessary to make some adaptations to the machinery, adjust the volume of water and the spray nozzle and maintain the pH of the solution between 5 and 7”, advised Valicente.

“Biological products can be mixed with chemicals, if indicated. However, you have to be careful with fungicides because of Asian rust. It is not recommended to mix more than two products in the tank. And you also cannot leave the product in the tank overnight. Culture media must be free from contamination, and the company must have an adequate production structure. Everything must start clean and end clean”, recommended the Embrapa researcher.