Latest Armyworm Forecast (September 2021)

Synopsis

Fall Armyworm(FAW) (Spodoptera frugiperda): FAW infestations were reported affecting irrigated maize in Malawi. No updates were received elsewhere during this time, but it is likely the pest has been a threat to maize crops where it has been detected.

African Armyworm (AAW) (Spodoptera exempta): No AAW outbreaks were reported this month.

Current situation

Fall armyworm (FAW)

FAW outbreaks were reported affecting irrigated maize in all 8 Agricultural Development Divisions in Malawi, the most affected areas being districts bordering Lake Malawi and Shire Valley. No reports were received from other countries, however, the pest is likely present in other maize growing countries in Africa, Asia and/or elsewhere where maize crops are in season or are under irrigation schemes (BHA/TPQ, IRLCO-CSA.

African Armyworm (AAW)

AAW were not reported in outbreak or invasion areas during this month.

Forecasts (for the next 6 weeks)

Fall armyworm (FAW)

FAW is likely to continue affecting rain-fed and/or irrigated maize and other cereal crops across sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, the Pacific Regions and elsewhere during the forecast period. Active monitoring, surveillance, reporting, and timely control interventions remain critical to prevent any major damage to crops that can severely affect food security and economic well-being of resource challenged peoples and communities across FAW prone countries (BHA/TPQ).

African Armyworm (AAW)

There is unlikely to be significant AAW presence during the forecast period. However, with the onset of the seasonal rain in the making, it is critical trap operators replenish their traps and begin closely monitoring and situation and inspecting their traps accordingly (BHA/TPQ, IRLCO-CSA).

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