Halting the march of the armyworm: fungus discovery offers hope to African farmers

South African scientist Letodi Luki Mathulwe made a groundbreaking discovery when she realized that a naturally occurring fungus was killing off the African armyworm, one of the most devastating crop pests in east and southern Africa. The fungus, which gained attention after causing the death of caterpillars in KwaZulu-Natal, was responsible for wiping out crops and causing food price inflation.

Mathulwe's research, published in a peer-reviewed paper, showed that the fungus could be used as an effective weapon against mature populations of the caterpillars, which not only eat staple crops like maize and sorghum but also release a harmful chemical compound in grass that can make cattle sick. The impact of the African armyworm can be severe, as one outbreak in Zambia in 2017 destroyed up to 40% of the country's maize production.

Mathulwe's discovery offers hope for African farmers, as it could eventually eliminate the fear of the insect's destructive march and protect both crops and livestock from the devastating effects of the armyworm.