engleski

Acclimatization potential of fall armyworm in Croatia

The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda, J. E. Smith) has become an important invasive pest worldwide. For a long time, the pest was found only in North and South America, where it is considered an economically important pest of crops. In January 2016, it was first observed in West Africa. Within two years, fall armyworm has spread across almost the entire African continent and then spread further to Asia and Australia. Due to the extremely rapid spread of fall armyworm in the last four years, it is feared that the pest could reach Europe very quickly. Considering its great ability to migrate long distances, there is a possibility that it flies from North Africa to Europe every year. Here we present the biological and ecological characteristics of fall armyworm and the damage it causes. The current status in the world is presented and the possibility of acclimatization in the areas of southern Croatia (Metković) and eastern Croatia (Gradište) is determined. Meteorological data were collected from each station for the period from 2010 to 2020. The suitability of the area was determined by calculating the sum of effective temperatures required for the development of a generation (thermal threshold 10.9 °C, the sum of 559 °C mean daily temperatures above the threshold and monthly precipitation below 100 mm). The analysis of meteorological data and their comparison with the requirements of the pest has shown that acclimatization of the fall armyworm in Croatia is not possible, but due to the favorable conditions in summer and the proximity of areas where this pest can successfully survive, there is a risk of seasonal migration to Mediterranean areas (Metković). Moreover, given the ongoing climate change, it is very likely that this species will adapt quickly, invade new areas and become a problem.

Spodoptera frugiperda, acclimatization, climate changes, invasive pest, Europe

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