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A South African scientist has made a potentially transformative discovery in the fight against African armyworms, one of the region’s most destructive agricultural pests. Entomologist Letodi Luki Mathulwe became intrigued when she learned of fields where the caterpillars were being killed by a mysterious white coating. Her investigation revealed the substance to be a naturally occurring soil fungus that effectively eliminates the pest.
The breakthrough came after a significant armyworm outbreak spread through South Africa in 2025, reaching KwaZulu-Natal where Mathulwe was working for the agriculture department. Desperate farmers were reporting severe crop damage across the region. When Mathulwe examined affected fields, she recognized the fungus as a potential biological control solution and collected samples for laboratory analysis. Her peer-reviewed research confirmed that the fungus could be weaponized against the armyworms.
The African armyworm has devastating economic consequences for farmers across east and southern Africa. The pest damages critical crops like maize and sorghum while also poisoning livestock grazing fields. A 2017 outbreak destroyed approximately 40 percent of Zambia’s maize production. Despite existing chemical treatments for young caterpillars, no effective solution has been developed for mature populations or adult moths, which migrate and spread infestations across regions.
While further development and testing remain necessary before farmers can access the fungal treatment, Mathulwe emphasized the product’s potential to transform agricultural security. She believes the discovery will significantly reduce farmer anxiety and provide a reliable control method when future outbreaks occur.
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Originally reported by Theguardian →
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