Control of Spodoptera frugiperda with entomopathogens in corn crops in Mexico: a promising alternative for non-target phytophages and beneficial fauna

Entomopathogens are increasingly used against Spodoptera frugiperda, but their effects on non-target insect communities remain unclear. We evaluated Spinetoram, Metarhizium anisopliae, and Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki t in maize fields of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. All treatments were evaluated from August to October 2021 and 2022. . Leaf damage, percentage of parasitoidism, and entomofauna diversity were measured. All treatments reduced leaf damage, with estimated efficacy of 94-99%. At Conkal, damage was lowest with Bt var. kurstaki (21.1%) and Spinetoram (24.3%). Parasitoidism was highest in the control and decreased by 50% under all treatments. Treatments also reduced non-target phytophagous insects and parasitoids relative to the control. Thus, microbial control agents can effectively suppress S. frugiperda, but their selection should also consider context-depend effects on beneficial insects and alternative hosts and prey.