KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) – Farmers in Southern St Elizabeth and New Forest in Manchester are being advised to be on alert for an increase in the beet army worm population.

Speaking with JIS News, Communications and Public Relations Specialist at the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Camille Beckford, said the conditions are ideal for the rapid build-up of the pest, which affects onion and scallion. 

Outbreaks are most severe after long drought periods followed by rain, and are not easily controlled.

The beet army worm is green in colour with dark brown stripes. It first appears in small groups of plants but feeds voraciously and can spread rapidly. Infestation can cause the loss of an entire plant and field in a short time if not effectively treated. 

Farmers are being urged to adhere to the pest management strategies outlined by RADA, which include:  monitoring crops at least twice per week or every three days; and to utilise the pheromone traps to detect the early arrival of the migrating beet army worm adults (bats).

Beckford said farmers should look out for egg sacs deposited on the tip of leaves and for emergence of newly hatched worms. It is at this crucial stage, she pointed out, that cultural and chemical strategies are to be applied and hand-picking done where possible.

She is advising farmers to use environmentally friendly products, which encourage the presence of natural enemies of the beet army worm; manage all weeds within and surrounding fields, which may harbour the pest; provide adequate nutrition to crops; and harvest mature onion and scallion, as these will provide food for the pest if left in the field.

Community involvement is key to the successful management of the beet army worm, and so farmers are encouraged to work together to get pest numbers down in neighbouring fields.