Scientists have called for urgent action to stop the spread of the fall armyworm which is destroying maize crops across Africa.
The pest is spreading rapidly across Africa and according to Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International (CABI); it is posing a major threat to food security and agricultural trade.
CABI says farmers’ livelihoods are at risk as the non-active larvae threatens to reach Asia and the Mediterranean.
The Food and Agriculture Organization plans emergency talks on the issue.
According to an article published on BBC, the armyworm so called because it eats its way through most of the vegetation in its way as it marches through crops, is native to North and South America but was identified for the first time in Africa last year.
“This invasive species is now a serious pest spreading quickly in tropical Africa and with the potential to spread to Asia,’the article quotes CABI chief scientist Dr Matthew Cock.
“Urgent action will be needed to prevent devastating losses to crops and farmers’ livelihoods.”
Scientists think the caterpillar or its eggs may have reached the continent through imported produce.
Once established in an area, the adult moths can fly large distances and spread rapidly.
The armyworm’s presence according to Dr Jayne Crozier of CABI had now been confirmed in west Africa and was thought to be present in the south and east of the continent, many parts of which relay on maize for their staple diet.
“It’s possibly been there for some time and it’s causing a lot of damage now,” she told BBC News.
“The recent discovery of fall armyworm in Africa will be a huge threat to food security and also to trade in the region.”
The FAO is to hold an emergency meeting in Harare between 14 and 16 February to decide emergency responses to the armyworm threat.
Zambia has used army planes to spray affected areas with pesticides.