The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), which is native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Western Hemisphere is now annually arrives in Korea. In this study, we developed loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay, one of the main merits of which is a rapid identification of target species. Five among 11 FAW-specific loci tested successfully provided a consistent reaction when ten FAWs, which were collected from eight localities in four countries were tested, whereas the 13 non-target species were not amplified. To increase in-field applicability of the method all life stages, reaction time, and different periods after death was tested using the quick extracted DNA. Our FAW diagnostic protocol can be completed within 30 min, from the process of extracting genomic DNA from an egg or a 1st instar larva to species determination.

• Jeong Sun Park(Department of Applied Biology, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Chonnam National University) Corresponding author
• Keon Hee Lee(Department of Applied Biology, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Chonnam National University)
• Min Jee Kim(Experiment and Analysis Division, Honam Regional Office, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency)
• Deuk-Soo Choi(Quarantine Technology Institute Ins.)
• Kyeong-Yeoll Lee(Department of Applied Biosciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Kyungpook National University)
• Tariku Tesfaye(Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Ambo Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopia)
• Woori Kwak(Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea)
• Iksoo Kim(Department of Applied Biology, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Chonnam National University)