THE first confirmed fall army worm infestation in Zululand has been found in a maize field in the Makhathini area.
The field in which the worms have been found in the Umkhanyakude District, borders sugar cane fields, but the worms do not seem to have spread into the cane lands.
The KZN Agriculture Department is assessing the situation and is consulting with staff and farmers on the ground before taking preventive steps.
The presence of army worms has raised fears that the total maize crop could be destroyed.
Among the responses from the department is the creation of awareness among the farmers.
The pest is a good flyer and cannot be contained in a specific area.
Damage reported in South Africa to date is mainly on yellow maize varieties, especially sweetcorn, as well as maize planted for seed production.
Pheromone traps are being imported to determine the exact extent of the spread and the specific strain of army worm present in South Africa.
As it is a new pest to South Africa, no pesticide was previously registered to be used against it.
A process of emergency registration of agricultural chemicals has been initiated.
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