South Africa’s Battle With Armyworms

February 16, 2017 by

South African farmers are battling an alien armyworm invasion that has already caused devastation on their crops. The maize-destroying caterpillars have destroyed eight per cent of this farm. According to experts chemicals can be used to deal with the pest in its early stages, but after that it becomes much harder, and some populations of … Read more

On A South African Farm, Despair Over Armyworm Attack

February 15, 2017 by

Peeling back the maize plant’s leaves reveals a small brown caterpillar — an armyworm that writhes as it burrows into the heart of the crop, producing a sticky dark paste. Eighty percent of the Prinsloo family’s maize plants are under attack, as are those of other farmers in Haakdoringboom, a farming community 20 kilometres (12 … Read more