Liberian Ag Minister - Crop-Destroying Worms Not Army Worms, But Something New, Far Worse - AFP

[hatrack]

Caterpillars laying waste to Liberian crops are not army worms as previously believed but a species which may turn out to be even more destructive, the country's agriculture minister warned Tuesday. "Results indicate that the caterpillars that we are dealing with are not army worms," the minister, Christopher Toe, told journalists.

The caterpillars, which have ravaged central Liberian farms in recent weeks, have been identified as the species Achaea Catocaloides by international research institutions and renowned entomologists, the minister added.

Experts warned that the insects could even turn out to be more destructive that army worms as they attack more crops including coffee and cocoa. "The destruction of caterpillars we are now confronted with, in my opinion, may be more severe than the army worms because it is attacking a wider range of species (of plants and trees)," said Joseph Subah, the head of the Center for Agricultural Research in Liberia.

The caterpillars have already begun devouring crops in neighbouring Guinea. Liberia's other neighbours Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast are concerned that the invasion could come their way.

EDIT

http://www.terradaily.com/2007/090203172735.8597204s.html

[pleah]

1. K&R Wow! Worms from hell.

:wow:

[jwirr]

2. Army worms reappear every so many years - what is the expectation

for these worms? If destroyed with they stay gone? That will determine if they are more destructive IMO.