Discovered in 2016 in central Africa, Fall Armyworm (FAW) is now reported in many Asian countries including India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, China, Indonesia, and the Philippines (Lamsal, Sibi, & Yada 2020). According to FAO, Global Action Framework, 2020, this pest has the potential to destabilize forestry, agriculture, and biodiversity sector on a global scale. Maldives has had a very defined agriculture industry. In the early days, production was limited to crops that are well adjusted to the island ecosystem. Various tropical fruits and vegetables were cultivated across the country. The crop choices were directed primarily to manage the nutritional needs of the household. The harvest provided much needed carbohydrates and vitamins which were combined with fish and fish products as the major source of protein. Intensification of agriculture sector in the islands coincided with the advent of tourism development activities. New germplasm and species were introduced along with consignments of items brought in to cater for the resorts. Subsequently, hybrid crops were being substituted by growers. This in turn, necessitated the need to use external fertilizers in addition to the plant-derived compost sourced from the island ecosystem. Consequently, many new pests and diseases were surfacing in major growing areas. The novelty of these introduced pests required the use of abrupt control measures. Hence, various chemical pesticides became the mainstream norm. By the early 1990’s, many of the persistent pests and diseases such as whitefly (Bemisa spp), mealybugs (Pseudococcidae spp), Citrus canker (Xanthomonas citri), Gypsy month (Euproctis fraterna), and common Army worm (Spodoptera spp) had already been established.

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