Spatial arrangement and damage by the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on maize

The knowledge about the population dispersion patterns of Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), the most important maize pest in Brazil, is crucial for the development of efficient techniques for its monitoring and management. The spatial distribution was studied in five maize experimental fields, one hectare each, divided in 100 plots, where five or 10 plants were assessed per plot. Spodoptera frugiperda occurred in high population levels in the sampling field, with significant correlation between the damage score 3 and the number of medium-sized larvae, as well as for the number of infested plants with at least one medium-sized larva. There was not significant correlation between the damage score 3 and the number of small larvae. The model that better fitted to oviposition distribution data was the Positive Binomial, whereas the spatial arrangement of larvae attacking the corn ear was random. Positive Binomial distribution was that which better represented the population spatial distribution of infested plants, and the distribution of medium-sized larvae had aggregated distribution.