BULAWAYO - Bulawayos peri-urban farming area has been hit by the deadly armyworm, which is reported to have destroyed large tracts of maize crop.
According to farmers in Esigodini and Umuguza farming areas, the caterpillars were first spotted last week at a plot owned by Crispen Ndlovu in Esigodini.
The worms invaded my plot and destroyed my first maize crop which I planted in early December last year. I have already advised the local Agricultural Technical and Extension Services office which has since advised me to buy the requisite pesticides. The caterpillars usually feed at night and hide in plant litter just above the soil surface during the day, said Ndlovu.
The devastating pests recently also left a trail of destruction at Gromery farm in Umguza where they are newly planted crops down to the soil levels.
About 50 percent of my crop was destroyed within a short period of time. It will be almost impossible to replant due to a number of factors which are beyond my control. What promised to be a good agricultural season for me and my neighbours has been surely dented by the army worm outbreak, said Jack Mlambo, the owner of the farm.
Mlambo said the last outbreak of army worm in the area was recorded three seasons ago.
Armyworm is the caterpillar life-stage of a moth and their egg masses, which may contain several hundred new worms, are deposited on or near plant food.
Each female may deposit several of these clusters. The caterpillar that hatches from the egg is only about an inch long, but when it is fully grown it reaches a length of about two inches.
Post published in: News