Tropical cyclones impact the dispersal of a globally invasive moth pest

Wind patterns are a crucial factor for migratory insect pests. However, the impact of extreme weather events, such as tropical cyclones (TCs), on migratory pest dynamics remains unclear. Here, we combined long-term trapping data with climatic variables and hydrogen stable isotope analysis to investigate how TCs influence the population dynamics of a globally invasive moth pest, fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), across the Gulf of America, formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico. TCs significantly increased fall armyworm moth abundance, shifting their peak activity across years. Most moths originated from southeastern Florida and the Caribbean, resulting in a 54% increase in migratory moths during the TC season. These findings reveal a previously unquantified link between extreme weather events (TCs) and migratory pest outbreaks. As TCs intensify, fall armyworm migration patterns may become increasingly unpredictable, posing greater challenges for pest management and agricultural sustainability. Tropical cyclones markedly increase fall moth abundance across the Gulf of America, driving a 54% rise in migratory moths, based on long-term trapping data, climatic records, and hydrogen isotope analysis.