29
Feb
Fall armyworm spreads to North West Queensland (The Islander)
A dangerous exotic pest that can destroy up to half a farm’s crop has been found in North West Queensland.
Fall armyworm is an invasive moth that feeds on hundreds of plant species including many important agricultural crop.
The American-native has spread across the world to 65 countries since 2016 and is now in Northern Australia.
In Africa and India it has affected 50% loss of its maize crop, and in China it is affecting corn production.
After first being spotted in Cape York two weeks ago it has spread to University of Queensland test crops in Georgetown – over a thousand kilometres further west.
