Southern African maize munching pest is South American invader: experts

Small scale farmer Mutale Sikaona and agricultural officials examine maize plants affected by armyworms in Keembe district, Zambia, January 6, 2017. Picture taken January 6, 2017. REUTERS/Jean Mandela

A maize pest that has devastated crops in southern Africa is a South American species which is harder to detect and eradicate than its African counterpart, agriculture officials and experts said on Tuesday.

The fall armyworm outbreak has erupted in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi and follows a crippling El Nino-triggered drought which scorched much of the region last year.