ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Patterns of abundance in the beneficial insects associated with the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) egg masses in selected Philippines cornfields
1
National Crop Protection Center, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Agricultural Life Sciences Complex, Los Banos, Philippines
2
Institute of Weed Science, Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of the Philippines Los Baños, LB Uichanco Hall, Los Banos, Philippines
3
Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Haidian District, Beijing, China
A - Research concept and design; B - Collection and/or assembly of data; C - Data analysis and interpretation; D - Writing the article; E - Critical revision of the article; F - Final approval of article
Submission date: 2025-06-23
Acceptance date: 2025-10-16
Online publication date: 2025-12-15
Corresponding author
Marie Beltran Beltran
National Crop Protection Center, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Agricultural Life Sciences Complex, Los Banos, Philippines
National Crop Protection Center, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Agricultural Life Sciences Complex, Los Banos, Philippines
Journal of Plant Protection Research 2025;65(4):578-588
HIGHLIGHTS
- Field-collected FAW egg masses are naturally parasitized by egg parasitoids
- Telenomus remus is the most abundant egg parasitoid of FAW egg masses
- Euborellia annulata also occurs in cornfields but with low patterns of abundance
- Telenomus remus and Euborellia annulata are two potential biocontrol agents of FAW
- We recommend future studies in the context of developing CoBC tactics against FAW
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
In February 2022, preliminary field surveys were conducted to characterize patterns of
abundance in the beneficial insect populations associated with fall armyworm (FAW) egg
masses in selected Philippines corn fields. It was found that approximately 47.64% of the
field-collected FAW egg masses were naturally parasitized by hymenopteran egg parasitoids.
The most abundant, and possibly a habitual egg parasitoid of FAW, was Telenomus
remus Nixon. The other egg parasitoids, Te. nawai Ashmead and Trichogramma chilonis,
were likely only incidental parasitoids. This was based on the data gathered for population
density, daily emergence patterns, local occurrence, and parasitism rates of these parasitoids.
On the other hand, the remaining 52.36% of these egg masses successfully hatched
and survived into the first instars. Further, the generalist predator Euborellia annulata was
collected from soil samples in corn fields but with low patterns of abundance, and a possible
explanation for this observation is provided. Overall, Te. remus and E. annulata are
potential biocontrol agents and can be further evaluated for their ability to cause significant
mortality on the first-generation FAW egg masses and the 2nd instars in corn plants.
Future studies are recommended to establish their host and prey relationships in local corn
agricultural landscapes. They are discussed in the context of developing conservation biocontrol
(CoBC) tactics for preventing the establishment of FAW populations early in the
cropping season.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Appreciation is extended to the following: Mr. Manuel
P. Gaylon for assistance during field collection of samples;
the Municipal Agriculture Offices in Tanauan,
Batangas; Tiaong, Quezon; Antipolo City, Rizal for assistance
during farm sites identification and field surveys;
and UPLB INSTAT Statistical Consulting Group
(SCG) for analysis of data. Also, to Mr. Bonifacio A.
Navasero and Ms. Agnes L. Tamayo for assistance in
the laboratory.
FUNDING
This field study was funded by the Department
of Science and Technology (DOST) – Philippine
Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural
Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD),
Philippines, through the research project entitled
“Identification and preliminary evaluation of natural
enemies against the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda
(JE Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in the
Philippines (N92072A).
RESPONSIBLE EDITOR
Danuta Sosnowska
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors have declared that no conflict of interests exist.
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