Armyworm not responsible for Tambothi deaths
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife communications officer, Musa Mntambo says that the worms are an indigenous species and not the dreaded Fall Armyworm.
REPORTS were received about Tambothi trees being attacked by the Fall Armyworms in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park.
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife communications officer, Musa Mntambo says that the worms are an indigenous species and not the dreaded Fall Armyworm.
Mntambo forwarded the photographs sent in by a Zululand Observer reader to an Ezemvelo scientist, who confirmed that it is an indigenous species and not the Fall Armyworm.
The affected trees were photographed between the Black Mfolozi River and Mpila Resort.
PHOTO: Jeff Asher-Wood
Insecticides registered
At the Intensive Growers Association Symposium held at Cedara on Thursday, Production Scientist with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Archana Nunkumar gave an update on the Fall armyworm.
It is presently found in KZN at Makhathini, Bergville, eShowe and Newcastle.
Although mostly on maize at present, it can also attack sorghum, potatoes and groundnuts.
It is expected that the infestations will decrease as winter approaches, but not so in Zululand where the climate is milder.
At present 39 insecticides have been registered for the control of Fall Armyworm on maize.
Archana stressed the importance of using the insecticides as specified on the label.
She said, ‘It is not only a case of reading the label, but also doing as the label instructs.’
This is critical, because if the insecticides are used with lower, or higher, dosages or in ‘cocktails’ the effects may not be as required.
The armyworm will also build up resistance and this will have dire consequences and lead to no control measures being effective.
To check which insecticides are available for use against the Fall armyworm, click on the link, ‘Manage the Fall armyworm outbreak in South Africa’ on the www.croplife.co.za website.
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