Since it landed in Africa from its native South America in 2016, Spodoptera frugiperda, or the lepidopteran Fall Armyworm (FAW) has quietly eaten a path to Asia. The continent’s favorable sub-tropical environment and crops provided a steady medium of growth. It enabled this insect horde to reach India, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and China the second largest producer of corn in the world.
Since it landed in Africa from its native South America in 2016, Spodoptera frugiperda, or the lepidopteran Fall Armyworm (FAW) has quietly eaten a path to Asia. The continents favorable sub-tropical environment and crops provided a steady medium of growth. It enabled this insect horde to reach India, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and China the second largest producer of corn in the world.
In the Philippines, the pest has been spotted in Cagayan Valley the country’s top corn area. Government and agricultural companies are coordinating and monitoring the spread of this pest before it affects the nations production.
The Philippine Statistics Authority reports that the country produces more than 7.5 million metric tons of corn annually for both human and livestock feed use. About 20% of national corn production comes from Cagayan Valley thus making Fall Armyworm a concern for farmers. From there, it can spread to other corn growing regions. However, FAW can also feed on other crops even if there is no corn.
See full article at Business World Online
