By Sarah HannanThe fall armyworm that wreaked havoc on maize cultivations in 2018 has resurfaced in the Eastern Province, affecting the crop output of maize farmers for the second time. Before the Lahugala maize farmers, similar experiences were reported from maize farmers in the Badulla District in August this year. Farmers of Matigahatenna, Passara had estimated that about 30 acres of maize cultivations were destroyed due to the fall armyworm invasion this time. HORDI Entomology Division Chief Agronomist Senani Weligamage and University of Uva Wellassa graduate in agriculture Elini Mathimaran had conducted laboratory and field research on finding a biological method to eradicate the fall armyworm. This may have been one of the reasons why the Sri Lankan fall armyworm did not spread as much as they do in other countries.

Source: The Nation November 29, 2020 00:33 UTC