Plague of armyworms threatens to strip southern Africa of key food crops

Experts at emergency meeting of 16 countries say pest has invaded fields of maize, a staple crop throughout the region

An invasion of armyworms is stripping southern Africa of key food crops and could spread to other parts of the continent, experts have warned at an emergency meeting of 16 African countries.

South Africa, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia are among the countries where the fall armyworm has invaded fields of maize, a staple crop throughout the region.