Mortality Reduction and Food Consumption of Fall Armyworms Spodoptera frugiperda and Non-Target Insect Cirina butyrospermi after Exposure to Burkinabe Native Entomopathogenic fungi Metarhizium sp.

Fall Armyworms (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda, particularly in maize crops, is a major agricultural pest. Current control methods rely heavily on chemical pesticides, which are costly and harmful to non-target organisms. To provide a sustainable alternative, the research isolated indigenous Entomopathogenic fungi, Metarhizium sp. and Trichoderma sp., from FAW-infested areas. The fungi were tested for virulence against FAW and a non-target insect, Cirina butyrospermi. Results showed that Metarhizium sp. FAW was highly effective in killing FAW while sparing Cirina butyrospermi, demonstrating its potential as a biological control agent. In addition, FAW infected with Metarhizium sp. exhibited a significant reduction in food consumption. The study highlights the potential use of indigenous fungi in integrated pest management systems, reducing the reliance on chemical pesticides and supporting sustainable agriculture. Further research is needed to understand the interaction of these promising Metarhizum strains with soil microbiota and their long-term efficacy in field conditions.