• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us

For all official information and updates regarding COVID-19, visit the South African Department of Health's website at www.sacoronavirus.co.za

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
Home Sci-tech

Scientists at the North West University create pest control model

23 August 2018, 5:39 AM  |
Sentleeng Lehihi Sentleeng Lehihi |  @SABCNews
Fall Army Worm on a green leaf

An unrelenting plague of fall army worms that nearly crippled local maize production and food security in this region.

Fall Army Worm on a green leaf

Image: Reuters

An unrelenting plague of fall army worms that nearly crippled local maize production and food security in this region.

Scientists at the North West University’s Potchefstroom Campus have created a ground-breaking pest control model.

The prototype accurately predicts the global spread and establishment of the Fall Army Worm.

Farmers across Africa have experienced heavy crop losses due to devastation caused by the invasive pest.

An unrelenting plague of fall army worms that nearly crippled local maize production and food security in this region.

Now researchers at the North West university have dedicated their time to better understanding this invasive North American parasite and where it is likely to invade again, since first appearing in Africa in 2016.

Prof Hannalene du Plessis the Associated Professor Integrated Pest Management Group says:

“We’ve seen that India is a place suitable for the fall army worm and it invaded India recently and that’s quite a big concern for Asia and Europe because of food security. This insect has about more than 100 hosts plants species so it’s not only on maize it’s on a lot of hosts plant.”

It is however not all doom and gloom. As this team of researchers have also been able to identify a natural solution to deal with the fall army worm.

Prof Johnnie Van Den Berg: Program Manager Integrated Pest Management Group says:

“We had a serendipitous discovery recently during a field trip where we were collecting fall army worms to use our raring and we discovered a parasitoid that were parasiting eggs; a large number of them and we got this identified and this parasitoid telenomus remus originates from South America where it is well known to be the best natural enemy and its mass reared by people there to control this pest.”

While research on this North American wasp is still advancing local researchers are more than certain it will not have any severe consequences on local crops.

WATCH RELATED VIDEO:

Share article
Tags: FarmersPotchefstroomNorth West UniversityFall Army WormHannalene du Plessis
Previous Post

Former PAC women leader calls for more opportunities for females

Next Post

Duduzane Zuma back in court over car crash

Related Posts

Pfizer's coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pill Paxlovid is packaged in Ascoli, Italy, in this undated image obtained by Reuters on November 16, 2021.

German health minister in move to boost use of COVID treatment Paxlovid

4 July 2022, 1:38 AM
A view of a flooded road following heavy rains in Lismore, New South Wales, Australia March 2, 2022.

Floods hit southeast Australia, forcing evacuations

3 July 2022, 12:23 PM
Syringes with needles are seen in front of a displayed stock graph and words "Omicron SARS-CoV-2" in this illustration taken November 27, 2021.

Omicron-specific COVID shots could increase protection as boosters, European Medicines Agency says

3 July 2022, 3:01 AM
The International Space Station (ISS) photographed by Expedition 56 crew members from a Soyuz spacecraft after undocking, October 4, 2018. NASA/Roscosmos/Handout via REUTERS

Astronaut study reveals effects of space travel on human bones

2 July 2022, 7:38 PM
A man with luggage walks in the rain on The Bund as Typhoon In-fa approaches Shanghai, China July 25, 2021.

China lashed by year’s first typhoon, record rains forecast

2 July 2022, 12:40 PM
Iranian media put the strength of the quake at 6.1 while the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said it had a 6.0 magnitude.

At least three killed in magnitude 6.1 quake on Iran Gulf coast- TV

2 July 2022, 1:35 AM
Next Post
The son of former President Jacob Zuma has been charged with two counts of culpable homicide.

Duduzane Zuma back in court over car crash

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • EMS says fire at Bree Street Taxi Rank in Johannesburg has been extinguished
  • The public has until 18 May to make submissions on Icasa’s regulations for extension of expiry period for data, airtime
  • ANC NEC expected to hold a special meeting on Sunday
  • Eastern Cape flood victims plead for support as access to food, services remains difficult
  • Amathole Regional Secretary elated to have corruption charges against him dropped
  • Interpol arrests suspect for swindling US citizens millions of dollars
  • Missing Soweto boy’s body found at Eldorado Park wastewater plant
  • Police close investigation into Enyobeni tavern tragedy
  • Taxi commuters to pay an additional R5 in fare from Friday
  • LISTICLE: Enyobeni Tavern saga – What we know
  • Interpol arrests suspect for swindling US citizens millions of dollars
  • East London police search for clues that led to tavern death; calls to revoke tavern’s licence 
  • UPDATE: At least 17 people killed in an East London tavern stampede
  • SANTACO and NTA calls on COSATU to join the national shutdown over the hiking fuel prices
  • NTA yet to decide whether to support calls for national shutdown amid fuel price hikes

LATEST

Spain's Rafael Nadal in action during his third round match against Italy's Lorenzo Sonego.
  • Sport

Nadal steps over the mark as he gives Sonego a dressing down


Ukrainian servicemen walk near a destroyed bridge as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues.
  • World

Ukraine withdraws from battered Lysychansk city; Russia claims major victory


A general view of a burning warehouse during violence and looting in Durban, July 14, 2021.
  • South Africa

SA marks first anniversary of the July unrest


Ghana's President Nana Akufo Addo, ECOWAS Commission President Jean-Claude Kassi Brou and Ivory Coast's President Alassane Ouattara attend the ECOWAS summit to discuss transitional roadmap for Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea, in Accra, Ghana, July 3, 2022.
  • Africa

West African leaders lift economic and financial sanctions on Mali


EMS vehicles outside the Enyobeni tavern where 21 people died.
  • South Africa

Preparations underway for victims of Enyobeni tavern tragedy


A representation of the virtual cryptocurrency Ethereum is seen among representations of other cryptocurrencies in this picture illustration taken June 14, 2021.
  • Business

Central African Republic President: Crypto is key to financial inclusion


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2022

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2022

Previous Former PAC women leader calls for more opportunities for females
Next Duduzane Zuma back in court over car crash