Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) Incursion into Fiji Islands

 

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Publication Date

Tue, 13 May 2025, 11:20

Last Updated

May 13, 2025, 11:20 a.m.

Report Number

FJI-04/1

Country

Fiji

Pest Id

fall armyworm - (LAPHFR)

Report Status

Preliminary

Hosts

• Country: Republic of Fiji • NPPO: Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF) • Date of First Detection: 23 April 2025 • Date of Morphological Confirmation: 24 April 2025 • Date of Molecular Confirmation: 06 May 2025 • Method of Detection: Routine pest surveillance conducted by Biosecurity Officers, followed by morphological and molecular diagnostics carried out at the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji Laboratory.

Pest Status (ISPM 8 - 2021)

• Present: at low prevalence

Geographical Distribution

Detection Details • Initial Location of Detection: Uciwai, Nadi District, Western Division • Subsequent Detections: Within the surrounding areas of the Nadi District • Geographic Distribution: Currently limited to parts of the Nadi District • Host Plants Affected: Maize (Zea mays) – primary crop affected • Symptoms Observed: Leaf windowing, shot holes, frass accumulation, larval feeding in whorls, and stunted plant growth

Summary

The Biosecurity Authority of Fiji, as the designated National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO), hereby notifies the IPPC Secretariat of the confirmed incursion of Spodoptera frugiperda in Fiji. Containment and official response measures have been implemented as the Emergency Response Action for FAW and in accordance with FAO FAW management guidelines, including ISPM 17 (Pest reporting).

Pest Information • Scientific name: Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) • Common name: Fall Armyworm (FAW) • Status in Fiji: Present – under official control (containment and management) Note: Any change in pest status will be communicated accordingly through the appropriate channels.

Danger

Confirmed to be the C-strain of the FAW. Infestations have only been noted on the corn/maize plantations and not on other hosts such as rice and sugarcane.

Contact for info

National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) – Fiji Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF) GPO Box 1292, Suva, Fiji Website: www.baf.com.fj Phone: +679 3312512 Primary Contact: Surendra Pratap Acting Chief Plant Protection Officer Email: [email protected] Alternate Contact: Nitesh Datt Chief Plant Protection Officer Email: [email protected]

Report files

Website

Issue keywords

Commodity keywords

Maize or corn