Caterpillar Plague Could be Contained More Easily than Originally Thought

Millions of marauding caterpillars have invaded more than 50 towns and villages in Northern Liberia, devouring crops and contaminating waterways as they continue their journey to neighboring Guinea and Sierra Leone. The plague, which is Liberia's worst in 30 years, has prompted the West African government to declare a state of emergency. But according to findings made by a team of experts during a field visit, the caterpillar infestation could be contained more easily than previously thought.

Scientists, led by experts from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Liberian government, have established that the insects were not armyworms, as had been reported, but larvae of the moth Achaea catocaloides. Unlike armyworms, Achaea larvae don’t burrow into the ground to cocoon and are thus easier to kill. Although the fact of their pupating on the ground was obviously good news, Achaea attacks a wider range of plant and tree species.

The Liberia Ministry of Agriculture is leading in discussions with FAO and other partners on how to contain the infestation after confirmation of the true identity of the caterpillars involved. FAO, in a press release, says that “it is also the opportunity to develop a better response system against migrant pests in the sub-region based on monitoring, early warning, biocontrol, capacity building and contingency planning.”

Visit http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/10019/icode/ for more information.