The study, titled Forecasting the global extent of invasion of the cereal pest Spodoptera frugiperda, the Fall Armyworm says there is a possibility of the Fall Armyworm migrating to Europe.
Annually, Fall Armyworms migrate 1,700 km. The recent invasion of Fall Armyworms in India’s southern states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh has revealed this fact.
The study also enumerates climate change as well as rising trade and transportation between infected and non-infected regions as the reasons behind the invasion of Fall Armyworms, which potentially puts the world’s food security at risk.
The study has mapped the potential spread of the Fall Armyworm. In India, the area adjoining Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu are pointed out as high risk zones. Globally, Sub-Saharan Africa, South America, Central America and Southeast Asian countries are at risk.
The pest was first observed in Spain in 2006. It most-likely originated in Chile. It colonised the Middle East and Northeast Africa around 2012 and parts of Sub-Saharan Africa from about 2014. It was introduced to Africa by passengers travelling by air.
Source: downtoearth.org.in
