Latest African Armyworm Forecast from ETOP – 5th Jan 2015

SYNOPSIS: The African armyworm season has commenced, but major developments have not been reported in December. Armyworm activities are expected to further develop in the southern outbreak region during the forecast period.

CURRENT SITUATION: The African armyworm season has commenced. Limited outbreaks were reported controlled in eastern Zambia (IRLCO-CSA). Pheromone trap monitoring is underway in most of the IRLCO-member states, particularly Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe where 480 pheromone traps have been distributed to (IRLCO-CSA).

FORECAST UNTIL MID-FEB 2015: African armyworm activities will continue and more outbreaks will appear during the forecast period. Forecasters must remain vigilant and monitor their traps and rain gages and report armyworm information to concerned authorities as quickly and as often as possible (IRLCO-CSA, OFDA/AELGA).