Behavior and Distribution of the Two Fall Armyworm Host Strains in Florida

Abstract

Fall armyworm is a significant agricultural pest in the United States, affecting most notably sweet corn and turf grass. While infesting much of North America, fall armyworms invading the eastern United States arise from annual migrations of populations wintering in southern Florida. It has long been noted that this seasonal geographical localization represents an opportunity for controlling this pest prior to its annual migration. However, such efforts have been hindered by the presence of two genetically distinct but morphologically identical strains that differ physiologically and behaviorally. The biology of the host strains is poorly understood and this lack of knowledge precludes accurate predictions of fall armyworm population behavior in the field. This paper reviews recent studies examining strain behavior and discusses the potential relevance of these results to the development of effective regional management strategies that can be used proactively to mitigate the economic impact of this pest.

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