NEWS
CropLife SA warns of possible
Lepidoptera pest outbreak
Reprinted From: http://bit.ly/2SwGL3O
Press release, CropLife SA
C
urrent weather patterns in South-
ern Africa may be conducive to
the outbreak of certain insect pests
such as Lepidoptera. Moist air from the
tropics may bring another infestation
of the fall armyworm into the Limpopo,
North West, Free State and Northern
Cape provinces. In addition, the cur-
rent conditions in these provinces and
KwaZulu-Natal are conducive to the out-
break of African armyworm in veld and
grazing paddocks.
Small possibility of migratory locusts
CropLife SA has been notified of mas-
sive clouds of small moths visible early
evening in the northern parts of Namibia
around Otjiwarongo. Sunflower growers
in the North West province of South Af-
rica have also reported a large-scale cat-
erpillar infestation. Although the Karoo
remains extremely dry in most parts, it is
possible for the migratory locust to ap-
pear. However, it is unlikely at this stage.
Crop and livestock farmers should be ex-
tremely vigilant in the mentioned prov-
inces and scout late afternoons in cash
crops, fruit orchards, grazing paddocks
and natural veld for swarms of small
moths as the first signs of Lepidoptera
pest outbreaks.
Farmers who grow non-GM maize and
cotton, as well as vegetable farmers, are
very vulnerable to fall armyworm and
need to make a special effort to scout for
the pest. Scouting can be done visually
in the early evening.
However, it is advisable to also use pher-
omone traps that are registered and
available in South Africa.
Effective control of large-scale out-
breaks
Should farmers suspect the presence of
fall armyworm or any other large-scale
invasions of Lepidoptera pests, they are
urged to take good quality, close-up
photographs of the moths, caterpillars
and egg parcels and send it via What-
sApp to +27 (0)82 446 8946 (Dr Gerhard
Verdoorn, CropLife SA) for assistance
with identification.
Farmers are also encouraged to contact
CropLife SA for advice on the effective
control of any such large-scale out-
breaks. In addition, the resources section
of CropLife SA’s website www.croplife.
co.za contains guidelines for managing
specific pests, including fall armyworm.
Figure 1: Many crops within South Africa are at risk of being
invaded by insect pests
21
Grassroots
Vol 20
No 1
March 2020