Halting the march of the armyworm: fungus discovery offers hope to African farmers
Summary
A South African scientist discovered a natural fungus that kills the African armyworm, a pest that damages crops and grazing fields in east and southern Africa. This finding offers a potential new way to protect farmers from major outbreaks that harm food production and livestock.Key Facts
- The African armyworm is a caterpillar that destroys crops like maize and sorghum and affects grazing grass.
- It can harm cattle by releasing a chemical compound in the grass it eats.
- Outbreaks have caused severe crop losses, including up to 40% maize destruction in Zambia in 2017.
- The 2024 outbreak affected farmers in Zimbabwe and Malawi amid high inflation rates.
- The fungus was found killing armyworms naturally in fields of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
- Scientists proved the fungus can kill the caterpillars and hope to turn it into a product for farmers.
- Chemical treatments exist but are less effective against mature armyworm populations.
- Further research and testing are needed before the fungus can be used widely by farmers.
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