Agriculture
Armyworm in NW─── 17:39 Tue, 05 Feb 2013
Dane Beisheim
An outbreak of African Armyworm, capable of destroying entire crops in a matter of weeks, has recently been reported in the areas of Ngaka Modiri Molema and Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati Districts in North West - an area that stretches from Mahikeng to Vryburg.
According to scientists cattle, sheep and goats that have fed on grass that Armyworms have been eating can also be poisoned. Symptoms in affected animals usually appear about 10 days after the appearance of the worms. Crop Scientist, William Weeks, has more on the symptoms.
Livestock owners should email Information Core for Southern African Migrant Pests Co-ordinator Margaret Kieser at KieserM@arc.agric.za stating clearly the locality of infestation, stage of larvae (green or black), size of infestation (number of hectares), crop infested and full names and a contact number.
An outbreak of African Armyworm, capable of destroying entire crops in a matter of weeks, has recently been reported in the areas of Ngaka Modiri Molema and Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati Districts in North West - an area that stretches from Mahikeng to Vryburg.
According to scientists cattle, sheep and goats that have fed on grass that Armyworms have been eating can also be poisoned. Symptoms in affected animals usually appear about 10 days after the appearance of the worms. Crop Scientist, William Weeks, has more on the symptoms.
Livestock owners should email Information Core for Southern African Migrant Pests Co-ordinator Margaret Kieser at KieserM@arc.agric.za stating clearly the locality of infestation, stage of larvae (green or black), size of infestation (number of hectares), crop infested and full names and a contact number.
William Weeks:
