Natural Occurrence of Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus (NPV) on Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, J. E. Smith in Maize Crop of Biswanath District, Assam, India

Abstract

The Fall Armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), poses a significant threat to maize production globally. The natural occurrence of Nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) on FAW in maize field at PG Research field Biswanath college of Agriculture, Assam, 2024 was investigated. The infected and dead larvae exhibiting the symptoms which resembled NPV infection were identified. Moreover, the infected larvae were collected and reared for further study in the laboratory. The present investigation has highlighted the possibility of NPV as a natural management of FAW populations, potentially offering sustainable management strategies for maize farmers in this region.