First report of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae: Noctuinae) from Iran

During the monitoring of some corn fields in the Orzuiye region, Kerman Province, in October 2023, several moths’ larvae were observed while feeding on leaves, spikes and seeds of the host plant. The collected larvae were reared under laboratory conditions until emerging the adults. After examining the reared specimens and the collected adult moths, they were identified as Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) which is known as fall armyworm. This species which was previously being considered as an external quarantine pest in Iran, is being reported from the country for the first time.