What is the armyworm? Armyworms are also called Okolombo; Kommandowurm or Nutgrass armyworm. It is an African moth. They are the caterpillar stage of the moths belonging to the Spodoptera genus. The worm attacking South African crops seem to be a mixture of African and Fall worms. They can grow to 3cm in length.
What do they do?
They travel in armies and eat anything and everything in its path. They tend to be active at night and then hide in the plants during the day. They attack many crops such as maize, wheat, sorghum and rice. They usually invade after a cool, wet spring. They strip the leaves from the maize plant.
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Where does it come from? …show more content…
They made their way to Africa – Nigeria and Togo in particular – in shipments of plants from South America. Importance of Maize to the South African population.
This crop is the staple diet for at least 200 million people. It is also used for animal feed. It is the most important source of carbohydrates. South Africa is the main producer on the African continent. Maize affects many areas of daily life. Doesn’t need a lot of water which makes it an affordable product.
What is meant by the term “Food Security”?
It means that everybody can get enough, healthy food, to live an active healthy life.
Food security depends on the following:
• Protect the land, water and air so that we can keep producing food.
• Ensure that people and businesses can make enough money from food production.
• Make sure that we can feed all people a healthy diet.
• Ensure food availability.
• People should have access to good, healthy food.
• Utilize the food correctly. How does the armyworm threaten food security in SA?
• Farmers suffering huge crop losses. Face financial ruin.
• Even if the farmers decide to stay on the farm it will mean having to spend a lot of money on pesticides to get rid of the
What do they do?
They travel in armies and eat anything and everything in its path. They tend to be active at night and then hide in the plants during the day. They attack many crops such as maize, wheat, sorghum and rice. They usually invade after a cool, wet spring. They strip the leaves from the maize plant.
AddThis Sharing Buttons
Share to FacebookShare to TwitterShare to Google+Share to Pinterest
Where does it come from? …show more content…
They made their way to Africa – Nigeria and Togo in particular – in shipments of plants from South America. Importance of Maize to the South African population.
This crop is the staple diet for at least 200 million people. It is also used for animal feed. It is the most important source of carbohydrates. South Africa is the main producer on the African continent. Maize affects many areas of daily life. Doesn’t need a lot of water which makes it an affordable product.
What is meant by the term “Food Security”?
It means that everybody can get enough, healthy food, to live an active healthy life.
Food security depends on the following:
• Protect the land, water and air so that we can keep producing food.
• Ensure that people and businesses can make enough money from food production.
• Make sure that we can feed all people a healthy diet.
• Ensure food availability.
• People should have access to good, healthy food.
• Utilize the food correctly. How does the armyworm threaten food security in SA?
• Farmers suffering huge crop losses. Face financial ruin.
• Even if the farmers decide to stay on the farm it will mean having to spend a lot of money on pesticides to get rid of the