CNN report features IITA scientist

Last month, CNN reported on “Armyworm invasion destroys crops in southern Africa” which featured Georg Goergen, IITA’s entomologist. The report highlighted the destructive potential of the new invasive species that was recognized  early by Goergen following its initial detection in West Africa and focused on the spread of the fall armyworm and the havoc the caterpillar is causing in Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Earlier last year, the pest was reported to have invaded Nigeria and Togo and expanded its range in eastern Africa. It is now speculated to invade Kenya and Tanzania if control is not established.

Goergen is currently involved with research efforts to find actionable solutions to control the caterpillars. Another article on this was also published in “Spektrum der Wissenschaft”, the German equivalent of Scientific American.