The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a significant pest causing substantial economic losses worldwide, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. The prevalent strategy for managing FAW involves insecticide applications, ranging from synthetic to botanical and microbial agents. However, the ecological and economic impacts of these interventions often remain unassessed. This study scrutinizes the ecological and economic viability of two insecticidal treatments: one based on emamectin benzoate and another comprising a combination of Pieris rapae granulovirus (PrGV) and Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki (Btk), with varied application timings and frequencies. Our findings indicate that both insecticide types were effective in reducing FAW larval populations and the associated crop damage. From an ecological standpoint, the PrGV|Btk treatment enhanced parasitism rates, especially when applied only at the early stage of the crop. However, this approach did not significantly lower crop damage compared to a "targeted" strategy, where insecticide application was contingent upon observed injury levels. Remarkably, the "targeted" strategy led to increased FAW larval parasitism, particularly at the V7 growth stage of the crop. Economically, the "targeted" insecticide application emerged as both effective and efficient, minimizing the need for multiple sprays and thus recommended for managing FAW infestations while considering cost and ecological balance.

The editorial "Arthropod Anthropocenes: A Call for Action" emphasizes the critical role arthropods play in maintaining ecological balance and biodiversity in the Anthropocene, an era defined by significant human impact on Earth's ecosystems. Highlighting the urgent need to address threats such as habitat destruction, climate change, and pollution, the piece advocates for sustainable practices to conserve arthropod populations. It calls for integrated efforts including enhanced research, sustainable agricultural practices, urban biodiversity enhancement, climate change mitigation, public education, policy and legislation reform, and international collaboration to safeguard arthropods and ensure the health of global ecosystems. This comprehensive approach underscores the indispensable role of arthropods in sustaining life on Earth, making a case for their conservation as a moral imperative for collective action.