[Objectives]  To determine the compensatory growth of corn at different growth stages induced by the feeding of the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda). [Method] The effects of feeding by 5 different larval instars at 5 different densities on the compensatory growth of corn were determined in enclosures in corn fields. [Result]  Plant damage generally increased with larval density and instar. At a larval density ≤ 4 larvae per 10 stems, 2nd-3rd instar larvae did not do more than 10% damage. The same larval density and instars had no effect on the yield of corn plants at the seedling (V4-V6) and small bell stages (V7-V9), the effect on yield being 3.32% and 4.00%, respectively. However, a density of 4^th to 6^th instar larvae of 6 larvae per 10 stems, significantly affected yield during the large bell (V10-V12) and the tasseling stages (V13-V15) (P<0.05). [Conclusion]  Corn can compensate for damage by S. frugiperda larvae to a certain degree by compensatory growth and can consequently withstand attack by low densities of younger larval instars of this pest.