Armyworms invade regions

Farmers and the general public have been warned about a fall armyworm outbreak in the Zambezi Region and an African armyworm outbreak in the Oshana and Oshikoto regions.The agriculture ministry yesterday issued a statement on the outbreaks to intensify awareness. The fall armyworm were reported on 6 January in areas such as Kongola, Ngoma and Musanga in the Zambezi Region. Executive director in the agriculture ministry Percy Misika said following these reports, it was confirmed that several hectares of farmland were adversely affected by the worms.He said crops in these areas are at different growth stages, which make them highly susceptible to these worms.“The fall armyworm is a pervasive agricultural pest native to south and central America that ruthlessly worked its way across the African continent after arriving in West Africa (Nigeria) in 2016.” It made its way to south of the Sahara and into Namibia in the 2016/17 cropping season. Misika said the fall armyworm have spread quickly due to its short reproductive cycle and ability to travel long distances quickly during its adult (moth) stage. The fall armyworm's lifespan from egg to larva to moth lasts from one to three months. It is during the larvae stage that it causes the most crop damage.“Controlling the fall armyworm is a challenge, because it reproduces fast and in large numbers and can migrate long distances, hide within growing leaves and is also resistant to pesticides.”Meanwhile, the African armyworm moth, Spodoptera exempta, is one of the most devastating crop pests in Africa. It is the caterpillar or larval stage that causes such havoc, voraciously feeding on maize, wheat, sorghum, millet, rice and pasture grasses.African armyworm have been reported throughout sub-Saharan Africa.The African armyworm has such a major impact because the adult stage (moth) is highly migratory and the location, timing and magnitude of its outbreaks are difficult to predict.Misika said outbreaks of African armyworm have been reported in both the Oshana and Oshikoto regions. “The regions with pesticides have been directed to start a spraying programme with immediate effect in order to contain the pests in areas where they have been reported.”Additionally, all crop-growing regions were directed to intensify awareness campaigns to educate farmers on the identification, ecology and control of the pests. Misika said the ministry will also continue with surveillance and using pheromone traps in areas which are not yet reported to be affected by the pests to ensure timely control of the outbreaks. ELLANIE SMIT

Armyworms invade regions

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-03

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Armyworms invade regions

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-03

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