First report of Spodoptera frugiperda in Papua New Guinea
The presence of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae – EPPO A1 List) in Papua New Guinea was confirmed in September 2020. The pest was initially found in February 2020 on young maize (Zea mays) plants in two localities (Mari village in Morobe province, Daru township in Western province). S. frugiperda currently occurs in the following provinces of Papua New Guinea: Jiwaka, Madang, Morobe, Western, and Western highlands. It is noted that the provinces of Morobe and Madang provinces are particularly at risk, as they are commercial maize and sugarcane production areas. The Pacific Community (SPC) is working closely with stakeholders on research, surveillance and monitoring (using pheromone traps), as well as on the development of IPM strategies to control the pest. The recent spread of S. frugiperda to Australia and Papua New Guinea raises concern in the Pacific region.
The situation of Spodoptera frugiperda in Papua New Guinea can be described as follows: Present, only in some areas (Jiwaka, Madang, Morobe, Western, Western highlands provinces).
Sources
Pacific Community (SPC). News (2020-09-03) Armyworm infestation breaches the Pacific. https://www.spc.int/updates/news/media-release/2020/09/armyworm-infestation-breaches-the-pacific