First report of Spodoptera frugiperda in Bulgaria
Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae – EPPO A2 List), is reported for the first time in Bulgaria. In October 2023, during a study on Noctuidae moth populations across Bulgaria one specimen (1 female) was captured, using food lure, in an ancient oak forest in Chirpan, Stara Zagora Province, then in early November three specimens (2 females, 1 male) were captured in black light traps in a diverse landscape in Parvomay, Plovdiv Province (both provinces in southern Bulgaria) and two specimens (2 males) in pheromone traps in maize fields in Knezha, Pleven province (northern Bulgaria). The identity of the pest was confirmed by morphological and molecular analysis. The authors suggest that the pest may have migrated north through the east Balkans. It is unclear if the species could overwinter and establish in Bulgaria.
In addition, official surveys for S. frugiperda have been conducted since 2021 by the NPPO of Bulgaria. Surveys were intensified in 2023 and 2024 following this finding and did not find S. frugiperda.
The pest status of Spodoptera frugiperda in Bulgaria is officially declared as: Absent, the entire country is pest free.
Sources
NPPO of Bulgaria (2025-02).
Szanyi S, Barta M, Velchev D, Beshkov S, Mumford S, Todorov I, Nagy A, Varga Z, Tóth M, Toshova T (2025) First report of a migratory pest, the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith, 1797)(Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) from Bulgaria. Insects 16(2), 134. https://doi.org/10.3390/