Invasive agricultural pest, Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), which has a strong preference for sugarcane, rice, maize and other important crops has been detected in Fiji, marking the first official report of the pest in the country.
Biosecurity Authority of Fiji says the pest poses a significant risk to Fiji's food security and economy due to its preference for crops such as maize, rice, sugarcane, and vegetables.
The larvae feed voraciously on the leaves, stems, and reproductive parts of host plants, causing severe damage and yield loss.
They say the pest was identified following targeted field surveillance on Wednesday on a maize farm in Uciwai, Nadi, and later confirmed through laboratory diagnostics.
BAF says they have immediately activated its Plant Pest Emergency Response Plan to contain and manage the outbreak, with current actions including a nationwide survey to assess the spread, deployment of pheromone traps and visual scouting in affected areas, implementation of quarantine and containment protocols to restrict movement of potentially infested plant material.
They are also urging farmers to report suspected sightings to BAF hotline on 5984, the nearest BAF, or the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways Office.
