Tropical Armyworm Damaging Corn Crops, Occurs in Gyeongnam

Gyeongnam Province Promotes Early Control Through Precise Surveillance

Adult tropical fall armyworms, which damage young corn leaves and stalks, were discovered in Goseong, Gyeongnam Province on the 9th.

According to the Gyeongnam Provincial Agricultural Research and Extension Services, this is the first case found inland since its initial discovery in Jeju Island on April 18.

The Agricultural Research and Extension Services stated that this pest, native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, is a quarantine-level pest that damages crops' leaves and stalks during its larval stage and reproduces rapidly.

It particularly damages over 80 crops including corn, sorghum, rice, and oats. The development period from egg to adult is 44 days, and it lays 200 to 300 eggs.

It has been reported that it can migrate several kilometers, even up to 100 km, during its entire egg-laying period.

Adult Tropical Armyworm Moth (above) and damaged plants. [Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Government]

The Agricultural Research and Extension Services will conduct a joint investigation with provincial and city/county authorities for two weeks starting from the 15th to establish a rapid and precise survey system and promote timely control measures during the early stages of occurrence.

On the 25th, technical training will also be held to enhance the investigation capabilities of city and county officials.

No Chi-won, head of the Technology Extension Division at the Agricultural Research and Extension Services, said, “If control measures are taken on time, the damage rate is about 1%, but if delayed, damage can reach 10 to 50%. Farmers should carefully inspect their farms and immediately report any damaged leaves or young larvae to the local agricultural technology center and control them using registered pesticides.”

Tropical fall armyworm pesticide registration information necessary for control can be found in the pesticide registration status section of the ‘Nongsaro’ agricultural technology portal website operated by the Rural Development Administration.