Current Status and Future Prospects of the Distribution and Risk Assessment of Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda)

The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is a significant pest threatening crop production, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. Beyond its native range, it has invaded most African countries and parts of Asia, with the potential to spread further in tropical climates. Its biological adaptability, combined with geo-ecological diversity and human activities such as trade and poor management, complicates control efforts and promotes global distribution. Effective management requires understanding migration routes, climate patterns, host interactions, and strain-specific behaviors. Coordinated regional strategies, monitoring systems, and collaborative research, especially in Africa, are essential to develop farmer-accessible solutions and improve pest management practices. The objective is to analyze the current distribution of S. frugiperda, assess its associated risks to agriculture, and explore future perspectives on its management and mitigation strategies. This includes evaluating its potential spread under changing climatic and ecological conditions.