Caterpillars destroying cassava farms at Wakapoa
Caterpillars on a cassava plant on a farm at Wakapoa. The plant’s leaves were cleared by the insects
Caterpillars on a cassava plant on a farm at Wakapoa. The plant’s leaves were cleared by the insects

By Alva Solomon

FARMERS in the Pomeroon community of Wakapoa in Region Two are up in arms over a caterpillar infestation which has destroyed several cassava farms over the past few days.The community, which is located some 35 miles upriver from Charity, on the Essequibo Coast, is divided in two parts: Central Wakapoa and Koria. It is home to some 300 families, most of whom

Several destroyed cassava plants  at Wakapoa (Photos courtesy of Earl Thomas)
Several destroyed cassava plants at Wakapoa (Photos courtesy of Earl Thomas)

are dependent on farming.
Reports are that last weekend, farmers observed that the leaves of the cassava plants were being mysteriously destroyed. As time passed, the caterpillars were observed in large numbers on farms in the community.
Wakapoa resident Ivan Cornelius, told the Guyana Chronicle yesterday that the insects were observed on some farms last weekend. At the time, the insect population seemed small, Cornelius said. But as time went by, the numbers grew.
“It is mainly affecting the cassava plants, most of which are four to five months old,” Cornelius said.
He said that the farms at the backlands of the area were the worst hit. Cornelius said that the insect, which is the larvae or insect-form of butterflies and moths, has cleared some five to 10 cassava farms in the community to date.
He said that persons are assuming that the insects’ presence is linked to the commencement of the crab season.
“It may be linked to the crab season, because we often have a lot of butterflies in the area when the crabs start marching,” Cornelius said.
Others have posited that a change in weather pattern may be linked to the insects’ presence.
Wakapoa resident, Earl Thomas, who posted several pictures of the infestation on social media on Wednesday, called on the authorities to urgently assist the farmers in curbing the problem. He said that contact was made with the Ministry of Agriculture and persons from that ministry are expected to visit the community today.
According to the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) , cassava is the main root crop grown in Guyana . The tubers of the cassava are a popular domestic food and are the staple food for hinterland communities. It is known for being drought-tolerant and its low input in terms of the work applied to cultivate the crop.
According to research, an adult female butterfly or moth mates and selects a host plant on which to deposit its eggs. The eggs can be laid singly or in groups. Once the egg hatches, the larvae emerge and feed on the host plant.
The larvae go through a series of molts (shedding of “skin”) until they reach a certain size. They then stop feeding and search for a place to pupate, later to emerge from their pupal cases as winged adults or butterflies.

 

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