Fall armyworm status and distribution: "The outbreak of the Fall Armyworm (FAW) in Malawi, an alien pest originating from the western hemisphere, was first reported in Blantyre and Machinga Agriculture Development Divisions (ADDs) before spreading to Kasungu, Mzuzu and Karonga ADDs." (FAO, February 2017)

The survey (conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the MoAIWD) revealed that FAW exclusively occurred with severe damage (34-61 percent of maize planting stations with damage signs in Kasungu ADD, 45-88 percent in Mzuzu ADD and 60-100 percent in Karonga ADD). Also confirmed in the following area - Blantyre district, Neno district, Balaka district, Ntcheu district, Machinga district, Zomba district, Mulanje district, Phalombe district, Chiradzulu district, Chikwawa district, Nsanje and Thyolo district.

Estimated yield loss:

References:

1.FAO, partners team up against Fall Armyworm outbreak in Malawi (2017). United Nation Malawi. http://www.mw.one.un.org/fao-partners-team-up-against-fall-armyworm-outbreak-in-malawi/

2. Occurrence of Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in Malawi. International Plant Protection Convention pest report (2017). https://www.ippc.int/en/search/?q=Malawi&type=ippc.PestReport