Population Density of the Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) on Yellow Maize and Evaluation of Some Pesticides for Controlling It

A field study was conducted on yellow maize crops grown in 5 locations in Salah al-Din Governorate to identify the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) and its seasonal presence. The results showed a 99.86% match between the cytochrome oxidase C subunit 1 gene sequences of the identified insect and the sequences of this gene of Spodoptera frugiperda isolated from India. The insect is registered with the global number MN640598.1 and is registered in the global gene bank under the global number OP975705.1. The results of the population density of the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda on the yellow corn crop during the period of sample collection from 14/10/2022 until 28/11/2022 showed that the highest number recorded on 14/11/2022 was 3303 insects, and the number began to decrease until the insects disappeared on 28/11/2022. The results of the effectiveness of the insecticides BESTS SELLWR and CORAGEN against the fall armyworm in the field showed the highest mortality rates on the fifth day of treatment. Treatments at the high field concentration (Field dosage + 50) of the two insecticides achieved the highest mortality rates, reaching 94.67% and 95.77%, respectively. This was followed by the recommended field concentration, which reached 85.78% and 87.69%, respectively. The lowest mortality rates were observed in the treatment at the concentration (Field dosage - 50), at 55.22% and 57.45%.