Fungus discovery targets armyworm devastation
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- Letodi Luki Mathulwe identified a white fungus killing African armyworm caterpillars in KwaZulu-Natal grass fields, prompting lab testing to confirm its pathogenic effect on the pest
- Mathulwe's team confirmed through peer-reviewed research that the fungus could be developed into a biocontrol product effective against mature armyworm populations, which resist current chemical treatments
- African armyworm (Spodoptera exempta) outbreaks in 2025 spread from northern South Africa to KwaZulu-Natal, triggering panic among farmers as the pests destroyed vital Kikuyu grass used for livestock grazing
- The fungus offers a natural control method that could prevent cattle illness caused by chemical compounds released by armyworm-infested grass, addressing both crop and animal health risks
- Outbreaks have previously caused severe agricultural losses, including up to 40% destruction of Zambia’s maize production in 2017, with recent infestations worsening economic strain in high-inflation countries like Zimbabwe and Malawi
Why it matters: Farmers across eastern and southern Africa stand to gain a low-cost, environmentally sound tool to combat a pest that has destroyed staple crops and grazing land, with past outbreaks cutting maize yields by up to 40% and exacerbating food insecurity in inflation-hit economies like Zimbabwe and Malawi.
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