The African Armyworm Its Recognition and Control Armyworms

Abstract

The pest of agriculture known as the armyworm is the larva or caterpillar of a particular kind of moth* of the family Noctuidae; when present in the large numbers characteristic of outbreak years it can do considerable damage to forage grasses and to cultivated plants of the grass family (Gramineae), especially (in East Africa) maize, different kinds of millet, rice, wheat and other cereals, and occasionally sugarcane. The insect occurs throughout Africa south of the Sahara, and in certain other tropical countries. It can be particularly damaging in eastern. central and southern Africa.