World

Army worms causes havoc in Liberia - Over 19 villages invaded

by Miriam Mannak | January 18, 2009 at 10:54 pm

967 views | 19 Recommendations | 7 comments

Over 19 towns and villages in the African country of Liberia have been attacked by legions of hundreds of thousands of army worms, which have destroyed a significant quantity of crops - leaving the grounds bared.

As a result, the government has declared an national emergency in the district of Zota, where the insects have invaded nineteen towns.

An army worm is a caterpillar like insect that devours everything that comes onto its path - from leaves to crops. While doing so, it pollutes water sources like creeks with its faeces.

One single army worm does not pose a problem - the impact of thousands together however, can be compared to the damage done by a Locust plague.

"A mature army worm is approximately 1.5 inches in length (± 3 centimeters) and is capable of laying waste to an entire crop in a matter of days," said Liberia's Agriculture Minister Christopher Toe.

0 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend This comment thread is now closed

LotusFlower

at 00:41 on January 19th, 2009

Interesting story - if its not the weather its the insects or some virus that seem to conspire to destroy crops. A National Emergency declared must mean this is a serious matter indeed.

Miriam Mannak

at 01:16 on January 19th, 2009

And it often the most food insecure communities that are being targeted. In Southern Africa, it is not bugs but erratic rainfall that is destroying crops. Last year, there was a food shortage of 4 million metrics tons of food as a result of failed crops due to persistent drought. Especially Zimbabwe and Malawi are struck. very very sad, as approximately 9 million people in Sub Saharan are chronically undernourished.

Paschen

at 02:23 on January 19th, 2009

It looks and sounds like the Locus swarms in West and North Africa. Those can be just as devastating.

158

at 17:35 on January 19th, 2009

This again shows nature is not always nice.

Richard S Sambolah (not verified)

at 02:05 on January 20th, 2009

My comments concern the invasion of villages in Bong County, Liberia by caterpillars. I had expected that by now Affrican entomologists would immediately begin research these caterpillars to determine preventive measures for future occurence in thye sub- region. I want to believe that these creatures might had crossed the border from Guinea. Guinea and Liberia should muscle their scientific ideas to mitigate this problem immediately.

Red Cyclon

at 15:39 on February 1st, 2009

The army worms attacks is just adding insult to injury. Liberia is just recovering from a long civil war that destroyed almost everything and finding 1.5 million dollars to spray the insects,as declared by the authorities is going to take time without the UN Organizations help.