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Halting the march of the armyworm: fungus discovery offers hope to African farmers

The Guardian UK Wednesday 12 August 2026, 11:00 UTC By Kaamil Ahmed 1 min read
Key Points

South African scientist’s breakthrough research shows soil fungus could be used in fight against devastating crop pestHearing about fields full of dead caterpillars enveloped in a mysterious white substance intrigued the South African scientist Letodi Luki Mathulwe. Something was killing off the African armyworm – one of the most devastating pests for farmers in east and southern Africa. The white substance was a naturally occurring fungus and it was wiping out the caterpillar, which gained...

South African scientist’s breakthrough research shows soil fungus could be used in fight against devastating crop pest

Hearing about fields full of dead caterpillars enveloped in a mysterious white substance intrigued the South African scientist Letodi Luki Mathulwe. Something was killing off the African armyworm – one of the most devastating pests for farmers in east and southern Africa.

The white substance was a naturally occurring fungus and it was wiping out the caterpillar, which gained its name from its march-like advance through fields of crops.

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African (ORG) South African (ORG) Letodi Luki Mathulwe (PERSON) Africa (LOCATION)
Originally published by The Guardian UK Read original →

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