The Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) has confirmed the the invasion of army worms in three counties nimely Bong, Nimba and Gbarpolu county respectively.
Agriculture Ministry Extension Officer in Bong County, Kollie K. Nah confirmed that the army worms is further osing serious threat to crops and water sources in the above mentioned three counties.
However, studies show that, “Armyworms are destructive pests that eat grass, vegetables, and ornamentals, destroying entire plants quickly. These pests grow into moths within a few weeks, but the larvae stage causes the most damage.”
Scientists say they have four life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Adult armyworms are moderately sized with a wingspan of around 1.5 inches.
According to Mr. Nah, the outbreak started in the county, that the worms have also invaded Gbarpolu County, which is a rare situation but disclosed that a team from the Ministry have been investigating the invasion of the army worms in many communities and a report will be done shortly.
According to Mr. Nah, an Agriculture Ministry team which has been dispatched in various areas are accessing the situation. “We have dispatched people there with a formal report to headquarters and are awaiting an official response to begin taking actions in these areas,” Mr. Nah said.
It can be recalled that during the last government of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, there was a major army worms invasion in Bong County but was later eradicated following the Agriculture Ministry at the time intervention.