The fall armyworm, a quarantine pest, is a global threat and represents a significant risk of spreading to Europe in a context of global warming. Feeding on 353 plant species, including essential food crops, it was first reported in Africa in 2016 and is now present in 49 African countries. Damage to rice and maize can lead to losses of up to 100% if left uncontrolled. As insecticides have proved ineffective, entomopathogenic fungi are among the credible solutions.
The aim of this project is to test isolates of entomopathogenic fungi against the fall armyworm and evaluate their effects in the field, and to identify and test the metabolites secreted on pollinating insects in order to acquire preliminary data for a registration dossier as a plant protection product in Côte d'Ivoire and Switzerland.
Picture: Damage caused by the fall armyworm in the fields of Agnibilékrou (C. Descombes, HEPIA).
Project partner(s)
Project leader - team
François Lefort
(HEPIA),
Corentin Descombes
(HEPIA)