The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, is a globally important invasive agricultural pest and has been listed as a "Category Ⅰ Crop Diseases and Pest" in China. Since its first detection in China in December 2018, the pest has rapidly spread across major agricultural production regions, posing a severe threat to the secure production of key crops such as maize. This review provides a systematic overview of the current research status of S. frugiperda in China, and comprehensively summarizes key advances made over the past seven years, including biotype dynamics, ecological adaptation, invasion mechanisms, resistance evolution, and integrated pest management technologies. In addition, we discuss the existing limitations of current research and outline future research directions, while proposing evidence-based strategies for scientific governance and precision control based on recent advances. This work aims to provide both theoretical foundations and practical guidance for the long-term management and sustainable control of S. frugiperda in China, and also to contribute valuable insights to the study and management of invasive pests worldwide.