Latest African and Fall Armyworm Forecast from IRLCO-CSA – 3rd Nov 2017

SYNOPSIS:
There were no reports of African Armyworm (Spodoptera exempta Walker) outbreaks from any of the IRLCO-CSA Member Countries. The Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda, J E Smith) continued to be reported in all Member States (specifically, Kenya, Malawi and Zimbabwe).
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CURRENT SITUATION:

FALL ARMYWORM (Spodoptera frugiperda, J E Smith):

The pest continued to be problematic on irrigated maize in Zimbabwe, Malawi and Kenya. Training of extension staff and farmers on management of the pest was ongoing in Kenya. IRLCO-CSA has provided pheromone traps to Member States to monitor the pest during the upcoming cropping season.

AFRICAN ARMYWORM (Spodoptera exempta, Walker):

There were no reports of African Armyworm outbreak from any of the Member States. IRLCO-CSA issued out pheromone traps to Member States to strengthen monitoring and forecasting of outbreaks. Plant Protection units are advised to put the traps into service in readiness for the outbreak season which is expected to start with the onset of seasonal rains.

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OUTLOOK (Nov 2017 – Jan 2018):

The African Armyworm outbreaks season will start with the onset of the rain season in November/December. Intensive monitoring of moth presence using pheromone traps is critical in order to determine areas likely to be infested. Alongside this should also be monitoring of Fall Armyworm moths using traps accompanied with field scouting for young caterpillars.

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CREDIT:

This forecast is issued by the International Red Locust Control Organisation for Central and Southern Africa, with thanks to The Director at IRLCO-CSA and contributions by staff of Plant Protection units in its Member Countries. The forecast is summarised here by the Armyworm Network (@spodoptera007) hosted by Lancaster University. Learn more about IRLCO-CSA

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