South African scientist finds soil fungus that kills African armyworm

South African scientist Letodi Luki Mathulwe has announced a breakthrough that could transform pest management for farmers across east and southern Africa. Her research identifies a naturally occurring soil fungus that kills the African armyworm, one of the region’s most destructive crop pests. The fungus, discovered after observing fields where caterpillars were coated in a white, lethal substance, offers a promising biological control alternative to chemical pesticides.

The armyworm (Spodoptera exempta) devastates cereal and maize crops, causing significant economic losses each year. Mathulwe’s team isolated the fungal pathogen from infected caterpillars and demonstrated its effectiveness in laboratory trials, where the fungus rapidly infected and killed the larvae without harming the crops. Field studies are underway to assess the fungus’s persistence in diverse soil types and its impact on non‑target organisms. If successful, the fungus could be mass‑produced and applied as a soil amendment, reducing reliance on synthetic insecticides and aligning with sustainable agriculture goals.

The research, published in a peer‑reviewed journal, has attracted interest from agricultural ministries and international development agencies. Plans are in motion to develop a commercial formulation and to train extension workers on its application. Should the fungus prove viable in large‑scale trials, it could provide a cost‑effective, environmentally friendly tool for farmers battling the armyworm, potentially improving yields and food security across the region.