Halting the March of the Armyworm: Fungus Discovery Offers Hope to African Farmers The discovery by South African entomologist Letodi Luki Mathulwe of a naturally occurring fungus that kills the African armyworm, one of the most destructive pests in east and southern Africa, is being hailed as a major breakthrough.
The findings, presented in a peer reviewed research paper, offer hope to farmers who have long struggled with the devastating effects of the caterpillar's march like advance through fields of crops.
The impact of the African armyworm has been brutal. Outbreaks have destroyed significant portions of maize and sorghum crops, driven up food prices, and strained government budgets.