The damage by first instar larvae on grasses such as maize appear as silvery patches called the “windowpanes” because one side of the leaf is eaten, leaving the opposite epidermal layer intact. The larvae damage plant leaves, stems, branches, and reproductive organs, such as flowers and fruits. Although it is polyphagous, FAW prefers to feed on maize causing substantial yield loss in SSA. The number of hosts is likely to increase as this pest expands into newer areas. Farmed grasses like maize, rice, sugarcane, and sorghum are recorded as major hosts whereas dicotyledonous vegetables and cotton are documented as minor hosts. The FAW is a polyphagous pest reported to feed on at least 353 crop and non-crop species from 76 plant families, with a high preference for the Gramineae family. Host plants, damage and losses caused in maize The objective of our review is therefore to provide an overview of the management of FAW on maize in Africa, challenges faced and thoughts towards sustainable management of the pest on the continent.Ĥ. Since its appearance on the continent, substantial research has been conducted on FAW in different African countries, resulting in several publications. This may affect the income earned and result in cash shortages, leading to failure to afford basic necessities. The impact of FAW at the household level may not affect the amount of maize consumed, but rather the amount sold because farmers mostly sell off the excess harvest after catering for household food demands. The impact of FAW would be much felt in Africa with an ever-increasing population and its demand for maize, a preferred food for the poor.

If left unattended, the continued destruction by the FAW, leading to reduced yields, would aggravate the already precarious conditions of over 400 million Africans living below the poverty line.

At this time, many African scientists relied mainly on information and experiences from the management of FAW in the Americas. When the FAW was reported in Africa in 2016, there was a general lack of knowledge on its management, causing a panic that resulted in many African governments procuring and distributing non-validated insecticides for its control. Annual yield losses in maize due to FAW infestation are estimated between 8.3 and 20.6 million tons in just 12 African countries, valued at US$2,481–6,187 million. The fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) was first reported in Africa in 2016, where it mainly impacts maize production.

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