Grain borer infestation suspected in Zimbabwe

Plant protection experts from the Agriculture Research Extension Services (AREX) in Zimbabwe are investigating reports that the highly destructive larger grain borer could have invaded some parts of the country. Zimbabwe has over the years remained free of the larger grain borer (Prostephanus trunctas) despite its known presence in Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia.

There were suspicions that the borer could have attacked maize in Raffingora, Beitbridge, Mvurwi, Guruve, Chegutu and Middle Sabi. Some farmers in the areas were shocked to see the maize they had put out to dry appearing as if it had been milled, leaving a mealie meal-like substance on the ground.

The larger grain borer demands urgent control measures to avoid catastrophic effects on food security. Agriculture experts said there was a significant crop in some of the areas they suspected were affected and there was need for all the necessary precautions to be taken as a matter of urgency.

AREX’s senior plant protection expert, Dr. Cames Muguni, confirmed that three teams had been dispatched to Raffingora and other places. "We have taken samples. Farmers had complained that the pesticide they were using was not effective and that a certain pest was destroying their maize. We have so far taken to task the company that produces the pesticide. We are testing the it and have asked the company to teach the farmers on the chemical’s correct dosage," Muguni said. He said Arex had also supplied the farmers with alternative pesticides in a bid to bring the situation under control.

"I can confirm that we have the wood borer in the country, which is another name for the larger grain borer. It feeds on dry timber in our case and has always lived in our forests, but we are still trying to establish whether it has moved onto maize," Muguni said.

The Herald