Friday 30 January 2009

Liberia faces second worm wave

BBC: The UN has warned Liberia could soon face a second wave of crop-destroying armyworms as the pests reproduce. Liberia's President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf declared a state of emergency this week and appealed for international aid to fight the insects. Some 400,000 residents in 100 villages have been affected by tens of millions of the insects, the UN says. The worms - which are actually caterpillars - are among the world's most destructive agricultural pests. It is the West African country's worst infestation of armyworm for three decades. Both Liberia and neighbouring Guinea, which has also been affected, have been carrying out aerial spraying against the insects. For full article click here.

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