Spodoptera-frugiperda
Guides
Calosoma angulatum
angulate caterpillar hunter
Calosoma angulatum, commonly known as the angulate caterpillar hunter, is a large ground beetle in the family Carabidae. First described by Chevrolat in 1834, this species ranges from the southwestern United States through Central America into northern South America. It inhabits premontane moist forests and oak-savannah ecosystems. Adults are known to prey on Spodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworm), indicating a role as a predator of agricultural pest caterpillars.
Ceraeochrysa cubana
green lacewing
Ceraeochrysa cubana is a green lacewing species widely distributed across the Americas, from the Caribbean and Middle America through South America. Larvae are voracious polyphagous predators important for biological control of agricultural pests. The species exhibits high genetic diversity in agroecosystems and shows associative learning capabilities in immature stages.
Eiphosoma
Eiphosoma is a genus of ichneumonid wasps in the subfamily Cremastinae, established by Cresson in 1865. Species in this genus are larval endoparasitoids primarily associated with noctuid moth larvae, particularly the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda). Several species have been investigated as biological control agents for agricultural pests, with E. vitticolle and E. laphygmae receiving particular attention for their potential in integrated pest management. The genus exhibits a New World distribution centered in the Neotropics, with documented species from Cuba, Colombia, Mexico, Brazil, and Costa Rica.
Euborellia annulipes
Ring-legged Earwig, Ringlegged Earwig
Euborellia annulipes, commonly known as the ring-legged earwig, is a widespread earwig species in the family Anisolabididae. It has been introduced to many regions worldwide and is recognized as a significant natural biological control agent in agricultural systems, particularly in banana groves and cornfields. The species exhibits notable parental care behavior by females, who remain sedentary to guard eggs and nymphs. Males are more mobile and frequently engage in egg cannibalism, though they can distinguish their own offspring from unrelated eggs and reduce cannibalism accordingly. The species has been studied extensively for its predatory activity against pests including Spodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworm) and its response to agricultural management practices.
Euplectrus platyhypenae
Euplectrus platyhypenae is a gregarious ectoparasitoid wasp in the family Eulophidae that develops externally on lepidopteran host larvae. The species has been documented attacking fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in laboratory studies and peanut foliage-feeding caterpillars in Oklahoma. Females exhibit host strain preference, ovipositing preferentially on corn-strain fall armyworm over rice-strain hosts. Development is rapid, with egg-to-adult times of approximately 9.8–10.5 days depending on host strain.