The appearance of Fall Armyworm (FAW) (Spodoptera frugiperda) in Africa has caused much consternation: "The hungry caterpillar threatening a global food crisis", according to a headline in the Guardian newspaper. The UK Department for International Development (DFID) commissioned CABI to compile an evidence note, which was published by CABI in September 2017. This article is a summary of the evidence note, which aimed to assess the potential impact of FAW in Africa if left uncontrolled, and recommend and prioritise control options. The first confirmed reports of FAW were from West Africa in early 2016. Research to date suggests that both strains of FAW that are found in the Americas entered Africa, perhaps as stowaways on commercial aircraft, either in cargo containers or airplane holds, before subsequent widespread dispersal by the wind. The probability is high (>90%) that the introduction to Africa was from the characterised Florida strain of FAW, which is restricted to the eastern seaboard of the USA, and the Caribbean islands. Based on information from literature searches, personal communications and internet mining, as for August 2017 28 countries have confirmed the presence of FAW. A further nine countries suspect its presence, or are awaiting official confirmation of the pest in the country. Two countries (Somalia and Djibouti) have conducted surveys and not found any FAW. Using distribution and climate data collected from South America and in Ghana and Zambia, models were used to investigate the environmental (climatic) factors affecting the distribution of FAW. Results from multiple models have been combined to produce an environmental suitability index for FAW across Africa. Fall Armyworm (FAW) in Africa has the potential to cause maize yield losses in a range from 8.3 to 20.6m tonnes per annum, in the absence of any control methods, in just 12 of Africa's maize-producing countries. This represents a range of 21%–53% of the annual production of maize averaged over a three year period in these countries. The value of these potential losses is estimated at between $2,481m and $6,187m. FAW should be expected to spread throughout suitable habitats in mainland sub-Saharan Africa within the next few cropping seasons. Northern Africa and Madagascar are also at risk. As of August 2017, the pest has been confirmed present in 28 countries in Africa (compared to 12 in April 2017), with suspected presence in a further 9 countries. Control of FAW requires an integrated pest management (IPM) approach. Immediate recommendations include (i) awareness raising campaigns on FAW symptoms, early detection and control, including beneficial agronomic practices; (ii) national preparation and communication of a list of recommended, regulated pesticides and biopesticides and their appropriate application methods. Work should also start immediately to (i) assess preferred crop varieties for resistance or tolerance to FAW; (ii) introduce classical biological control agents from the Americas. A conducive policy environment should promote lower risk pest management approaches.

Lantana camara (lantana) is a major invasive shrub globally, impacting upon biodiversity, economies, ecosystem services, and driving socio-ecological change. The aim of this study was to determine the current and potential distribution of lantana in eastern Africa and its livelihood impacts in one region in Uganda. Data were collected by means of roadside surveys, and then compared with potential distributions based on ecoclimatic models. Household interviews were conducted to understand the impacts of lantana on local livelihoods. Lantana is currently widespread in eastern Africa, and has the potential to spread, especially in Tanzania. According to 40% of respondents, lantana reduced the amount of forage available to livestock by more than 50%, while one-third of those interviewed reported a 26–50% reduction in crop yields. Lantana invasions also cost individual households substantial amounts of money (US$400–500 per annum). Furthermore, lantana reduced the availability of natural resources, such as nat...

Biological control of weeds is a globally recognised approach to the management of some of the most troublesome invasive plants in the world. Accidental introductions of agents accounted for all weed biological control agent establishments in the European Union until 2010, but these examples include some current or emerging control successes both large and small, from the redistribution of the weevil Stenopelmus rufinasus Gyllenhal (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) for the control of small outbreaks of Azolla filiculoides Lam. (Azollaceae), to the large scale control provided by the cochineal insect Dactylopius opuntiae (Cockerell) (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae), used against some problematic prickly pears (Opuntia spp. (Cactaceae)), and the ragweed beetle Ophraella communa LeSage (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), against common ragweed, Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. (Asteraceae), which are providing benefits to an increasing number of Member States of the European Union. Recent programmes involving the intentional introduction of biological control agents against target weeds including Fallopia japonica (Hout.) Ronse Decr. (Polygonaceae), Impatiens glandulifera Royle (Balsaminaceae) and Acacia longifolia (Andrews) Willd (Fabaceae) show a shift from luck to judgement in the European Union. The inclusion of new weed targets on the European Invasive Species Regulation should lead to a growth in the profile and use of biological control which would be assisted by the publication of any successes from the few intentional introductions covered in this paper.

Background: In Kenya, rice (Oryza sativa L.) is mainly produced under irrigation by small‐scale farmers. Mwea irrigation scheme (MIS) in Kirinyaga County accounts for 80–88% of rice production. Here, rice is the main source of livelihood and a source of revenue generation for the county. However, a recently established invasive freshwater snail, Pomacea canaliculata (Lamarck) (family: Ampullariidae), a species of apple snail, presents a serious threat to rice production.Results: Household surveys, focus group discussions and key informant interviews highlight apple snail as a serious problem in MIS. Households that observed at least a moderate level of infestation (>20% of cultivated area) experienced significant reductions in rice yield (~14%) and net rice income (~60%). Farmers reported increased use of chemical pesticides for management of apple snail. In addition, the cost of hired labor for physical removal of egg masses and snails is resulting in substantial negative effects on net income. Farmer age, area of land owned, responsibility for decision‐making, receipt of extension advice, training, and membership of a farmer organization, were all statistically significant variables to explain farmers awareness of the need for area‐wide apple snail management.Conclusion: Strategies to limit the spread of apple snail are urgently needed. A Multi‐Institutional Technical Team (MITT) has been established to spearhead management efforts and consolidate advice to farmers on how to manage apple snail. However, without action to mitigate spread, the consequences could be disastrous for rice production and food security in Kenya, and for other rice growing regions across Africa. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.