author(s)
Kumar P, Kumari K, Sharma SK and Singh SN

abstract
The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (smith) (Lepdoptera: Noctuidae), is an economically serious and polyphagous pest and native to tropical to subtropical regions of America. It is widely distributed in India, causing significant damage to maize. It was noticed for the first time in the month of August, 2019 feeding on maize crop in Bhagalpur, Bihar. Being a new pest, there is need to find out the management strategy. Therefore, three different doses of microbial biopesticides along with one insecticide were tested for their efficacy against fall armyworm under laoboratory condition. The results revealed that Emamectin benzoate caused highest larval mortality 100 percent at 72 h after application. However, among biopesticides Metarhizium anisopliae @7ml/l caused 100 per cent at 96 h after application followed by Beauveria bassiana @7g/l (95% mortality). Other treatments caused more than 80 per cent mortality at 96 hrs after treatment application. It was concluded that larval mortality increased with an increase in doses of microbial pesticides and time interval. The biopesticide, Metarhizium anisopliae @7ml/l showed high efficacy against fall armyworm larvae can be used as components for integrated pest management plans for fall armyworm.