Latest African and Fall Armyworm Forecast from IRLCO-CSA – 5th Mar 2018

SYNOPSIS:
The Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith, continued to cause severe damage to cereal crops in the IRLCO-CSA region. Ministries of Agriculture assisted farmers with pesticides to control the pest. There were no reports of African Armyworm, Spodoptera exempta Walker, outbreaks from any Member country. Monitoring of both armyworm species using pheromone traps was ongoing.

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CURRENT SITUATION:

FALL ARMYWORM (Spodoptera frugiperda, J E Smith):

Malawi
The pest continued to cause damage to maize in most regions of the country. Since the beginning of the cropping season in November 2017, the Ministry of Agriculture had provided 38 000 litres of pesticides (Chlopyrifos, Cypermethrin and others) and 2000 kgs of granular pesticides to affected farmers who carried out control.

Zimbabwe
Fall Armyworm continued to affect maize in all 10 provinces of the country. The Ministry of Agriculture was gathering information on the severity of damage at the same time assisting farmers with pesticides.

Tanzania
Infestation across 18 regions of the country was patchy and damage was mild to severe.

Mozambique
All 10 provinces reported Fall Armyworm damage on maize and farmers received material support to control the pest from the Ministry of Agriculture.

Zambia
The pest was reported in all 10 provinces of the country and the Government facilitated control by providing pesticides and spraying equipment to farmers.

Kenya
Incidences of attack by Fall Armyworm decreased since crops had reached maturity.

AFRICAN ARMYWORM (Spodoptera exempta, Walker):

There were no reports of African Armyworm outbreaks from any Member Country.

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OUTLOOK (Mar – May 2018):

Plant Protection units in Member Countries are advised to continue monitoring African Armyworm moths using pheromone traps as outbreaks can affect late planted cereal crops. In Kenya and northern Tanzania, vigilance and intensive monitoring is necessary when the planting for the Long Rain Season commences. The Fall Armyworm will continue to be problematic on late planted crops in most southern Africa countries and in Kenya and Tanzania where the planting season will soon start.

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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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