Scientists are now calling for urgent action to halt the spread of the pest that is destroying maize crops and spreading rapidly.
The Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International warned that the fall armyworm poses a major threat to food security and agricultural trade.
It says farmers’ livelihoods are at risk as the non-native larvae threatens to reach Asia and the Mediterranean.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is planning to hold emergency talks on the development.
The FAO meeting is scheduled for 14th and 16th February in Harare, Zimbabwe, with the aim of adopting emergency responses to check the armyworm threat.
The armyworm was identified for the first time in Africa last year, outside its North and South America where it is predominant.
Meanwhile; authorities in Zambia have deployed army planes to spray affected areas with pesticides.
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