Entomofauna associated with Spodoptera frugiperda in a maize agroecosystem in San José de las Lajas, Cuba

The cultivation of maize (Zea mays L.) is of significant global economic importance as it is the third most widely grown cereal worldwide. Numerous harmful organisms affect this crop, impacting its yields. Among these, the “fall armyworm” Spodoptera frugiperda J. E. Smith, a corn pest, is the main culprit causing substantial economic losses because of its damage. Besides this pest, various beneficial insects are associated with the maize crops that play a crucial role in its control. The present research was conducted at the National Institute of Agricultural Sciences (INCA) in Cuba to list the insects associated with S. frugiperda in the maize agroecosystem with a ‘MAIG-Diamante’ cultivar. One hundred randomly selected plants were sampled in a zig-zag pattern, and the inner whorl leaves and other parts of the plants were examined. Seven samplings were carried out weekly. Classification of species was done using taxonomic keys. In the agroecosystem, insects belonging to 7 orders, 22 families, and 28 species were found. These were categorized according to their habits as 15 phytophagous, 11 predators, 1 parasitoid, and 1 pollinator species. Spodoptera frugiperda, Zelus longipes, Zelus sp., Nezara viridula, Peregrinus maidis, Oxymerus aculeatus, an unspecified species of beetle, Brachiacantha decora, Doru sp., and Apis mellifera were very frequent. In contrast, the rest of the remaining species were somewhat frequent.