High Parasitism of Telenomus and Trichogramma Species on Spodoptera frugiperda Eggs During Maize Vegetative Stage in Gorontalo, Indonesia

The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda, Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is an invasive pest that threatens maize production in Indonesia, particularly during the vegetative stage. This study aimed to identify egg parasitoid species and assess their parasitism levels on S. frugiperda during this critical growth phase in Gorontalo, Indonesia. Field sampling was conducted from February to April 2021 using random sampling of egg masses at three maize fields in Suwawa District. The collected eggs were incubated in the laboratory to observe emergence and identify parasitoids. This study revealed the significant contribution of egg parasitoids—particularly Telenomus sp.—in suppressing S. frugiperda populations during the vegetative stage of maize in Gorontalo, Indonesia. Parasitism rates were remarkably high across all observation periods, ranging from 83.82% to 92.54%, and the emergence of Telenomus sp. consistently exceeded that of Trichogramma sp. These findings demonstrate that native egg parasitoids are already actively controlling S. frugiperda in the field and should be preserved through ecologically sensitive pest management. Avoiding insecticide use during early maize growth stages is essential to maintaining the activity of beneficial parasitoids.