Latest Armyworm Forecast (April 2022)
Synopsis
Fall Armyworm(FAW) (Spodoptera frugiperda): FAW infestations continued affecting maize in several counries/districts in Kenya and Tanzania respectively
African Armyworm (AAW) (Spodoptera exempta): AAW outbreaks were reported in nine districts in Tanzania and 33 counties in Kenya
Current situation
Fall armyworm (FAW)
FAW infestations were reported affecting early planted maize in most of the Western and Southern Rift Valley counties in Kenya during April. Affected farmers executed control operations with material and technical support from MoA. In Zimbabwe, FAW infestations continued attacking irrigated maize at vegetative stage in Muzarabani and Chiredzi districts. Affected farmers carried out control with material and technical support from the MoA. Although no updates were received in other IRLCO-CSA member states (Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe), and elsewhere across different regions at the time this Bulletin was compiled, it is likely FAW infestations and outbreaks occurred in irrigated and/or late planted maize and other susceptible crops.
African Armyworm (AAW)
AAW outbreaks were reported in Manyoni, Handeni, Sumbawanga, Longido,Nkasi, Ngorongoro, Siha, Rolya DC, Tarime DC,and Musoma DC districts in Tanzania where MoA provided supplies and technical support to the affected farmers to launch control operations. In Kenya the pest was reported in 33 Counties, including Taita Taveta, Tana River, Kwale, Kilifi, Lamu, Makueni, Nakuru, Narok, Kajiado, Bomet, Kakamega, Kericho, Migori, Busia, Homabay, Trans Nzoia, Kiambu, Vihiga, Bungoma, Kisii, Muranga, Tharaka Nithi, Uasin Gishu, Nyamira, Kirinyaga, Kitui, Nandi, Machakos, Elgeyo Marakwet, Kisumu, Siaya, Nyandarua and Vihiga. MoAC/Kenya provided supplies and technical assistance to the affected farmers to carry out control. No updates were available in other AAW prone countries at the time this bulletin was compiled.
Forecasts (for the next 6 weeks)
Fall armyworm (FAW)
FAW will likely persist and continue affecting rain-fed and/or irrigated maize and other crops across sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and elsewhere during the forecast period.
African Armyworm (AAW)
There is a likelihood of AAW infestations continue attacking young and late planted maize and other crops as well as pasture in Tanzania and Kenya, and perhaps other countries during the forecast period.
Acknowledgements
This forecast is published by Lancaster University’s Armyworm Network: http://www.armyworm.org/. It is an extract from the Emergency Transboundary Outbreak Pest (ETOP) situation report compiled by USAID/OFDA/PSPM. They monitor ETOPs regularly in close collaboration with their network of national PPDs/DPVs, regional and international pest monitoring and/or control entities, including FAO, CLCPRO, CRC, DLCO-EA, and IRLCO-CSA, as well as Agency partners, and NGOs and provides timely analytical bulletins and reports to stakeholders across the globe. For dated, archived ETOP SITREPs, please, go to: https://www.usaid.gov/what-wedo/working-crises-andconflict/responding-times-crisis/how-wedo-it/humanitarian-sectors/agricultureand-food-security/pest-and-pesticidemonitoring/archive
