IPM: Fall Armyworm Integrated Pest Management

Prevent–Monitor–Act

A practical, field-level management package that combines prevention, close observation, and timely action. Prevent: plant certified seed; keep plants vigorous with good spacing, soil and nutrition; avoid late or staggered planting; increase plant diversity (for example, push–pull and intercropping with non-grasses like cassava, cowpea, bean, pigeon pea); and use conservation agriculture (no-tillage, residue retention, rotations, cover crops such as Mucuna and Lablab) to favor natural enemies. Monitor: walk fields frequently from one week after planting; check whorls for fresh damage and frass; note natural enemies; remember some leaf damage does not reduce yield. Act: handpick and crush eggs and small larvae; remove volunteers, weeds, and infested residues; “recycle” pathogens by spraying a filtered slurry made from naturally killed larvae; favor predators and parasitoids; apply locally used substances (for example, soil, ash, neem, hot pepper) into whorls; use registered pesticides only as a last resort with rotation of modes of action, a maximum of 2–3 sprays per season, protective gear, and whorl-directed spraying at dawn or dusk.

This technology is TAAT1 validated.

Scaling readiness: idea maturity unknown; level of use unknown

Adults 18 and over: Positive medium

The poor: No impact

Women: Positive low

Under 18: Negative low

Carbon footprint: Same amount of carbon released

Environmental health: Does not improve environmental health

Soil quality: Does not affect soil health and fertility

Water use: Same amount of water used

Biodiversity: Harms biodiversity

Problem

Crop Damage and Economic Impact: FAW inflicts significant damage on various crops, especially maize, leading to annual yield losses valued at USD 9.4 billion in Africa alone. Without proper management, up to 17.7 million tonnes of maize could be lost annually.
High Mobility and Rapid Spread: FAW exhibits high mobility and polyphagous feeding habits, making it challenging to manage. This characteristic has contributed to its rapid invasion of multiple continents, including Africa, Asia, and Australia, with concerns of potential entry into Europe.
Resistance to Control Measures: FAW poses a unique challenge with its resistance to insecticides and plant toxins. Its highly effective detoxification system enables the development of resistance, rendering conventional control methods less effective.
Inadequate Management Practices: The current management practices are insufficient to address sudden outbreaks of FAW. The pest's high reproductive rate and established populations make eradication virtually impossible once it has taken hold.
Food Security and Pest Control: Beyond economic losses, FAW jeopardizes food security, particularly in regions where maize is a staple food. Its high reproductive rate and resistance make effective pest control a pressing concern.
Environmental Impact: The use of chemical pesticides for FAW control, while a common practice, can have negative environmental consequences. Balancing effective pest control with environmental sustainability is a critical consideration in managing the Fall Armyworm threat.

Solution

Crop Protection: FORTENZA™ Duo offers systemic protection of the crop, using seed coating that keeps maize free of FAW during the early stages of cultivation ¹. This reduces crop damage and mitigates the economic impact ¹.
Control of Mobility and Spread: By providing early-stage protection, FORTENZA™ Duo helps manage the high mobility and rapid spread of FAW.
Overcoming Resistance to Control Measures: FORTENZA™ Duo is a powerful control agent for FAW, offering an effective solution against the pest’s resistance to insecticides and plant toxins ¹.
Enhanced Management Practices: FORTENZA™ Duo enhances seed survival, germination rates, and initial growth stages after planting, addressing the inadequacy of current management practices ¹.
Food Security and Pest Control: FORTENZA™ Duo contributes to food security by protecting maize crops, a staple food in many regions, from FAW ¹. It also provides an effective means of controlling FAW, a pest that is otherwise difficult to eradicate ¹.
Environmental Impact: As a seed treatment, FORTENZA™ Duo allows for the application of smaller amounts of the control agent compared to foliar applications, reducing the environmental impact ¹.

Key points to design your project

In this section, you will soon find important information to assist you in incorporating this technology into your project. We will present how technology can impact gender, climate, and sustainable development goals. We will provide a list of activities to plan for your project, a toolkit for optimizing the technology, suggestions for key partners, and communication tools about the technology.

In the meantime, use the 'Request information' button if you need to contact us.

Countries with a green colour: Tested & adopted
Countries with a bright green colour: Adopted
Countries with a yellow colour: Tested
Countries with a blue colour: Testing ongoing

Countries where the technology is being tested or has been tested and adopted
Country	Testing ongoing	Tested	Adopted
Kenya	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
South Africa	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Zambia	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Zimbabwe	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted

This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones. Any zones shown in white are not suitable for this technology.

Agro-ecological zones where this technology can be used
AEZ	Subtropic - warm	Subtropic - cool	Tropic - warm	Tropic - cool
Arid
Semiarid
Subhumid
Humid

Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.

Goal 2: zero hunger

Goal 12: responsible production and consumption

Seed Treatment: Apply 4 milliliters of FORTENZA™ Duo per kilogram of maize seed. Mix thoroughly with a binding agent, then vaporize over the seeds. Allow it to dry in a rotary blending system.
Foliar Spraying: Apply recommended insecticides every two weeks during the growing season using a backpack sprayer or tractor-mounted model. Ensure proper protective gear is worn.

Last updated on 28 October 2025