Millions of invading caterpillars, known as African armyworms [Spodoptera exempta (Walker)], have forced thousands [of Liberians] to flee their homes and the situation is “getting worse”. The caterpillars have destroyed crops, entered houses and contaminated water sources, including creeks and wells, with their faeces, local authorities say.

On 29 January 2009, the FAO reported that some 100 villages in northern and central Liberia were now affected and that six communities in neighbouring Guinea had also been struck. According to Liberian authorities, the emergency involves about 500.000 villagers.

Much worse could be in store as many of the armyworms had now bored into the ground, out of reach of pesticides, and formed protective cocoons around themselves. When they re-emerge, after a week to 12 days, it will be as moths. “Each moth can fly up to 1000 kilometers - and lay 1000 eggs,” FAO Permanent Representative in Liberia Winfred Hammond, an entomologist explained.

Source: IRIN, 20 Jan 2009; IRIN, 26 Jan 2009; FAO, 29 Jan 2009

Tags: africa, water quality