Focus Taiwan
Date: 2019/06/17
By: Yang Su-min and Evelyn Kao

Taipei, June 17 (CNA) A second phase of measures to prevent the spread of fall armyworm, a crop-devouring pest, will be launched with the introduction of compulsory insecticide spraying in all areas where any form of the pest is sighted, the Cabinet-level Council of Agriculture (COA) announced Monday.

From June 14-17, 21 sightings of fall armyworm moths were reported in the offshore islands of Kinmen, Matsu and Penghu, as well as Hsinchu, Miaoli, Chiayi, Pingtung and Hualien counties on Taiwan proper, while eggs and pupae have also been found, the COA task force responsible for fall armyworm control said at a press conference.

There have been a total of 68 sighting of the larval form of the crop-eating insect nationwide since the first sighting was confirmed in a corn field in Miaoli County on June 10. Crops were uprooted and buried in 28 farms, according to the task force.

Currently, only Nantou County and Kaohsiung, as well as Green Island and Orchid Island, have not reported sightings, COA data shows.    [FULL  STORY]