Provivi, Inc., an American company that provides pheromone-based crop protection solutions, and Australia-based AgNova Technologies have signed a commercial agreement to introduce the pheromone Pherogen Spodoptera frugiperda (SPOFR) to the Australian market in the fight against fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda).

Pherogen is a species-specific mating disruption technology developed by Provivi that releases synthetic female sex pheromones into the environment, confusing male moths and disrupting the mating cycle.

Originally native to the Americas, fall armyworm (FAW) was first detected in Africa in 2016 and has since spread across continents, including Asia and Australia. Its rapid geographic expansion is driven by the moth’s strong migratory behaviour and long-distance flight capabilities, causing widespread crop damage and economic losses.

Species-specific to Spodoptera frugiperda, Pherogen releases synthetic female sex pheromones into the environment, confusing male moths and disrupting the mating cycle – effectively reducing pest populations over time.

Stuart Lumber, managing director of AgNova Technologies, said the company is proud to partner with Provivi to “bring this important tool to Australian agriculture. Fall armyworm has devastated crops globally, and Australian farmers have felt its impact. Pherogen offers a sustainable, effective option that empowers growers to protect their yields without relying solely on conventional insecticides.”

Pherogen SPOFR is already registered for use in Mexico, Thailand, the United States, and Kenya, with additional offerings in Brazil.