Endophytic fungi may help curb fall armyworm without relying on insecticides

A review of 59 studies finds fungi living inside crops can make the fall armyworm grow and feed less well.

Editorial illustration — not from the study.

Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) has spread widely across Africa, Asia, and Oceania, putting food production at risk. Because synthetic insecticides face challenges such as resistance and concerns for the environment and non-target organisms, the review asks whether endophytic fungi could offer a more sustainable option for crop protection.

Across 59 original studies published over 41 years, the authors evaluated 44 fungal species tested on 37 host crops, with corn (Zea mays) receiving the most attention. Several fungi were reported to colonize plant tissues and reduce fall armyworm outcomes such as larval survival, development timing, and feeding.

How fungi affect the pest

The reviewed studies reported that multiple endophytic fungal species can successfully colonize plant tissues and reduce fall armyworm performance. Effects included increased larval mortality, delayed development, and reduced feeding. The review links these outcomes to fungal production of bioactive compounds, activation of plant defense responses, and changes in the plant’s scent signals (volatile organic compounds).

A potential add-on to insecticides

If these fungi can be used effectively in real farming conditions, they may help manage fall armyworm while reducing dependence on synthetic insecticides. The review also points out that evidence is not yet complete enough to confirm practical use widely, especially outside well-studied regions and systems.

What the evidence covers

This work is a review that synthesizes findings from 59 original research articles over 41 years. The underlying studies span many crops and fungal species, but the review notes key gaps: research on non-target organisms and natural enemies is scarce, field validation is limited, and studies are geographically biased with relatively few conducted in Africa despite substantial losses there.

Brain communication patterns separated autistic and non-autistic people with 91% accuracy

Researchers found that information flow between major brain networks differed between autistic participants and non-autistic controls. An artificial-intelligence system classified the two groups with a mean accuracy of 91% across cross-validation, but the study does not establish a clinical biomarker.

6 hours ago·3 views

Biology

A faster way to test designed proteins could bring each test down to $5

Researchers describe a streamlined workflow for producing and testing designed proteins at much greater scale than standard laboratory methods. By using pooled DNA and partial automation, the approach could characterize more than 1,000 designs at about $5 per construct.

2 days ago·35 views

Biology

A rarely detected bat is confirmed on remote Flores Island

Researchers confirmed two bat species on Flores Island in the Azores, including Nyctalus azoreum, which had not previously been recorded there. Acoustic monitoring found that Pipistrellus maderensis was widespread, while N. azoreum was detected at only a few sites and showed very low activity.

2 days ago·13 views