1. Fall Armyworm in South Africa:
Briefing to Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries, 14/02/2017
Presenter: Mr Mooketsa Ramasodi/ Mr Jan Hendrik Venter/ Ms Alice Baxter
Compiled by DAFF FAW Technical Team

2. Outline of Presentation on Fall Armyworm (FAW)
Background
Status in SA
Host range and life cycle (pertinent to spread/ control)
Identification and damage
Control measures
Role of DAFF and PDAs in managing FAW

3. Background: Fall Armyworm (FAW)
A migratory lepidopteran (moth) pest species with a wide host range. 
Scientific name: Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith (Lepidoptera)
Common name: Fall Armyworm (FAW)
Originates in tropical regions of South America (e.g. Brazil, Argentina) and the Caribbean region; also present in some southern states of the USA (Texas, Florida)
A serious pest of maize in Brazil and other countries
In Africa: reported in 2016 (West and Central Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe): yield loss 30-60%
The adults (moths) are strong fliers for migrating to new areas on prevailing winds/ weather systems.

4. Status of FAW in South Africa
FAW is a quarantine pest for SA;
DAFF sent an alert out on 17 January 2017 in response to media reports of this pest in Zambia and Zimbabwe
This prompted farmers to report suspected FAW caterpillars mainly from the Limpopo and North West Provinces.
A preliminary action group met on 25 January2017 to initialize response
Larvae were collected, pupated and the emergent moths positively identified by the ARC on 03/02/2017; male moths were also collected and identified on 03/02/2017, by the ARC-PPRI, Biosystematics Division as the Fall Armyworm

5. Host plants/ host range
FAW can attack over 80 different plant species
Main hosts:
Maize, sorghum, groundnuts, cotton, soybean, sugar cane
Additional host plants:
Pasture- and other grasses, spinach, lucerne, sunflower, wheat, cabbage, potatoes

6. Distribution of FAW in SA so far:
Limpopo: reported by farmers as widespread (Musina, Pontdrift, Levubu, Tshakuma, Punda Malia, Vivo, Marken, Dwaalboom, Thabazimbi, Lepalele, Makopane, Mashashane, Chuniespoort, Mokgopong, Letsitele, Bochum, Bela Bela, Settlers and Rust De Winter)
Confirmed at: Pontdrift, Musina, Levubu, Vivo, Makopane, Mashashane, Mokgopong, Chuniespoort, Letsitele, Settlers and Rust De Winter
Gauteng: northern and eastern parts and confirmed at, Bon Accord, Pyramid, Bronkhorstspruit and Roodeplaat.
North West: western parts, confirmed at Rustenburg and Swartruggens
Mpumalanga: Schoemanskloof, Hendrina, Middelburg
Free State: Petrus Steyn
Northern Cape: Douglas
Hosts plants reported indicate that the following have been attacked: maize (especially sweetcorn, and seed maize) and sorghum

7. FAW life-cycle: summary (pertinent to spread/ control)
It can attack over 80 different plant species

8. Fall Armyworm: identification

9. Fall Armyworm: identification (cont.)
eggs
Pupae
Adult Moth
Larvae

10. Fall Armyworm: Damage
It feeds on leaves especially when they are still at younger growth stages.
Generally feeds on foliage, but during heavy infestations, larvae will also feed on corn ears. 
Foliar damage to corn is usually characterized by ragged feeding, and moist sawdust-like frass near the leaf whorl and upper leaves of the plant. 

11. Damage by FAW (cont.)
In maize, silk (tassel) damage can lead to pollination problems
Early leaf whorl feeding damage
Stalk damage
Tassel feeding
Photos by Desiree Van Heerden from Sygenta

12. Control measures for FAW
The following nine chemical active ingredients have been registered for use on FAW in SA according to emergency registration procedures: Indoxacarb, Chlorantraniliprole, Emamectin benzoate, Flubendiamide, Lufenuron, Methomyl, Indoxacarb/ novaluron, Malathion, Chlorpyrifos; others are pending registration
Producers are advised to do scouting in crop fields and apply the necessary pest control measures according to manufacturer’s label instructions
Control guidelines for Fall armyworm in South Africa can be found on the DAFF website:

13. Control measures (cont.)
Precautionary measures when procuring and applying chemicals:
Buy according to the proportion of the infestation
Apply chemicals judiciously to avoid development of resistance
Use registered chemicals recommended to control FAW
Use chemicals at the dosage rates recommended on the product labels.
Apply chemicals only against young instar larvae which are less 1cm long
Note that application against older larvae is not successful as they feed deep inside leaf whorls of plants and are therefore protected from contact with the pesticide.

14. Some of the applicable documents to guide control of the FAW
Legislative and Policy Framework
International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC)
Agricultural Pests Act, 1983 (Act no. 36 of 1983) of the RSA
Plant Health Policy of the RSA
South African Emergency Plant Pest Response Plan

15. Some applicable support documents developed for FAW
Technical guidelines
Scouting protocol
Reporting template
Pest fact sheet
Interim pest management guideline for FAW

16. Role of DAFF in managing FAW
Provide leadership (legislative and policy): JOC and pest action group set up;
Implement the South African Emergency Plant Pest Response Plan which entails among others:
Surveillance and monitoring
Awareness to extension officers and scientists
Inspections and issuing of regulatory orders
Data bank e.g. pest detections and coordination of research
Register chemicals and provide necessary guidance to PDAs
Solicit relevant resources and lead national coordination
Has notified the IPPC and neighbouring SADC countries

17. Fall Army Worm Steering Committee
FAWSC: DAFF, Industry, Research, 9 provinces
DAFF FAWJOC: Different Directorates in DAFF
9x PROVJOC
Technical expert groups: GrainSA SANSOR, IRAC, CropLife, CropWatch etc
Research groups: ARC, NWU etc.

18. The role of PDAs
Pest scouting, collection and reporting
Conduct awareness and education to producers
Solicit resources for control e.g. procure agrochemicals and traps
Promote integrated pest management
Participate in relevant joint actions with DAFF

19. Reporting of outbreaks, and obtaining details of awareness actions
For reporting all observations/outbreaks, please contact:
Directorate: Plant Health
Division: Early Warning System
Mr Jan Hendrik Venter
Tel: /6104/ or
For any awareness activities, please contact:
Directorate: Food Import & Export Standards
Division: Plant Health promotions
Mr Mpho Sekgala/ Ms Rendani Thovhogi
Tel: /6475
For applications for removal permits:
Directorate: Inspection Services
Tel: /