Spodoptera frugiperda management using local resources in the maize smallholder farming system in Zambia

Invasive alien species are organisms that can be harmful to society by invading new areas and regions. Some of them can cause complete loss of agricultural crops around the world. Some regions are more vulnerable to these new invasions as measures in place to intercept and eliminate potential new threats are not in place. However, due to globalization these invasive species can spread their distribution rapidly. With growing concerns over synthetic pesticides in our food by the general public, biological control research has become central in managing pests and diseases in agriculture. Indeed, beneficial insects such as parasitoids can be highly effective in controlling invasive species such as fall armyworm which has been accidentally introduced in Africa and later spread to Asia. Therefore, my PhD research investigated how small-scale farmers can use local resources in their communities to manage the invasive pest fall armyworm attacking maize, alongside coordinating and collaborating in implementing these practices.