Symbiotic Spodoptera frugiperda for Sustainable Agriculture

Penulis: Dian Meithasari (NPM 2434101712) dan Darwin H. Pangaribuan (NIDN 0013016302), Mahasiswa Pascasarjana dan Dosen Jurusan Agronomi Hortikultura, Fakultas Pertanian Universitas Lampung

"Fall armyworms are known for their rapid life cycle, high reproductive capacity, and wide range of movement, all of which contribute to rapid population growth"

Introduction

The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is one of the major pests affecting food crops, especially maize, and has spread widely across various countries, including Indonesia. This pest exhibits a high level of adaptability to environmental conditions and control methods, making it a significant challenge for farmers and agricultural land managers. Fall armyworms are known for their rapid life cycle, high reproductive capacity, and wide range of movement, all of which contribute to rapid population growth. Damage caused by the fall armyworm can lead to crop yield losses of up to 20--50%, depending on the level of infestation and farming conditions.

One important aspect that has gained attention in recent research is the role of symbiotic microorganisms in the life of the fall armyworm. Symbionts are microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, that live in symbiotic relationships with insect hosts. The presence of these symbionts has a major impact on the physiology and resilience of the fall armyworm, aiding in digestion, pathogen resistance, and adaptation to insecticides. Certain gut bacteria, such as Enterococcus, Enterobacter, and Bacillus, are known to provide metabolic benefits to the fall armyworm by aiding in digestion and nutrient absorption. Additionally, entomopathogenic fungi such as Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae show potential as effective biological control agents against fall armyworm populations. Symbiotic viruses, like the nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV), have also demonstrated the ability to infect and effectively reduce fall armyworm populations.

The dependence of fall armyworms on these symbionts presents opportunities to leverage these microorganisms for more effective and sustainable pest control. Further understanding of symbiont interactions with fall armyworms, especially in enhancing host resilience to environmental pressures and insecticides, can lead to the development of biological control strategies that are safer for the environment and human health. Therefore, this study aims to explore the potential of symbionts in fall armyworms and to investigate their use as an alternative approach to sustainable pest control.

Role of Symbiotic Bacteria in Fall Armyworms

            Gut bacteria that live symbiotically with fall armyworms, such as Enterococcus, Enterobacter, and Bacillus, play a crucial role in supporting the host's metabolism. Dillon and Dillon (2004) showed that insect gut microbiota not only aid in digestion but also contribute to resistance against various environmental stresses. In fall armyworms, these bacteria assist in breaking down complex compounds in host plants, accelerating the digestion process, and enhancing nutrient absorption. Another study by Acevedo et al. (2017) found that symbiotic bacteria can enhance resistance to pathogens and provide adaptive advantages, ultimately improving the survival of fall armyworms against conventional pest control methods.

Baca juga:  "Bioinsecticides from Symbiotic Spodoptera frugiperda for Sustainable Agriculture"

Entomopathogenic Fungi as Biological Control Agents

            Entomopathogenic fungi, such as Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae, are known as effective biological control agents against various insect pests, including fall armyworms. According to Quesada-Moraga and Vey (2004), these fungi can infect insect hosts through the cuticle, subsequently proliferating within the insect's body and causing death. In the context of fall armyworms, these fungi have the potential to naturally suppress populations in the field, especially when combined with other control methods. Further research is needed to identify the optimal environmental conditions for the effectiveness of these fungi in controlling fall armyworm populations across different agricultural ecosystems.

Role of Symbiotic Viruses in Controlling Fall Armyworms

             Entomopathogenic viruses, particularly nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV), have long been recognized as specific biological control agents for Lepidoptera, including fall armyworms. Moscardi (1999) highlighted the high effectiveness of NPV in infecting fall armyworms, offering a safe and environmentally friendly alternative for reducing this pest's population. Williams et al. (2017) found that field applications of NPV result in significant mortality rates in fall armyworms without negative impacts on non-target organisms. This success suggests that NPV can be an essential component of integrated pest management (IPM) systems, particularly in agricultural areas with high fall armyworm infestation levels.

Symbiont Interactions with Insecticide Resistance

              Resistance to insecticides in fall armyworms has become a major challenge in pest control. Research shows that gut symbionts can influence the resilience of fall armyworms to insecticides. Li et al. (2020) discovered that the complex gut microbiota could modulate the host's detoxification response, increasing tolerance to various chemical compounds. This interaction between symbionts and resistance mechanisms provides an opportunity to develop new, more effective strategies for controlling fall armyworms. For example, manipulating gut microbiota could reduce the fall armyworm's ability to metabolize insecticides, accelerating susceptibility to chemicals used in pest management.

Utilizing Symbionts in Sustainable Pest Control Strategies

          The use of symbiotic microorganisms, both as biological agents or through microbiota manipulation, shows great potential in environmentally friendly pest control. De Almeida et al. (2017) suggested that utilizing symbionts as a component in pest management can reduce dependence on insecticides and increase the sustainability of agricultural ecosystems. For instance, field use of B. bassiana or NPV as biological control agents has been shown to effectively reduce fall armyworm populations and potentially be applied on a larger scale.

This research underscores the importance of further understanding the role of symbionts in fall armyworms and the interactions between symbionts and environmental or chemical factors in agriculture. By leveraging symbionts, particularly gut microbiota and entomopathogenic fungi or viruses, more sustainable and eco-friendly pest control strategies can be implemented, supporting food security and environmental sustainability in the future.

Conclusion

From various literature and studies, it can be concluded that symbionts play a crucial role in supporting the survival and adaptability of fall armyworms (Spodoptera frugiperda) against environmental challenges and pest control efforts. Gut bacteria, such as Enterococcus, Enterobacter, and Bacillus, assist in digestion and enhance host resistance to external pressures, including pathogens and insecticides. Entomopathogenic fungi, like Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae, as well as viruses such as nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV), hold great potential as effective and specific biological control agents for pests without harming non-target organisms.

The reliance of fall armyworms on these symbiotic microorganisms opens up significant opportunities for developing more sustainable and environmentally friendly pest control strategies. Utilizing symbionts as biological agents or manipulating gut microbiota to mitigate resistance to insecticides could serve as an innovative approach to reducing dependence on synthetic chemicals in pest management.

Overall, the use of symbionts in controlling fall armyworms can enhance the effectiveness of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, reduce environmental impacts, and improve the sustainability of agricultural production. Further research is needed to gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of interaction between symbionts and fall armyworms, as well as the environmental factors affecting symbiont effectiveness in field applications.

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