First report of Spodoptera frugiperda in Spain
The NPPO of Spain recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first report of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae – EPPO A2 List), on its territory. In November 2025, 3 male adult S. frugiperda were caught in a trap in a field of maize (Zea mays) in Antequera (Málaga province, Andalucía). The identity of the pest was confirmed by the National Reference Laboratory. No symptoms were observed on host plants in the area surrounding the trap. Official phytosanitary measures are being applied according to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1134 to eradicate the pest. They include insecticide treatments in the demarcated area, establishing a trapping network around the field where the individuals were caught, and inspections of facilities importing host plants in the vicinity. The NPPO note that the climatic conditions following this finding were not favourable for the establishment of S. frugiperda.
The pest status of Spodoptera frugiperda in Spain is officially declared as: Transient, the pest has been detected exclusively in one trap, actionable, under surveillance.
Sources
NPPO of Spain (2026-02).
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1134 of 8 June 2023 as regards measures to prevent the introduction into, establishment and spread within the Union territory of Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) and repealing Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/638. OJ L 149. http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2023/1134/oj