Second Caterpillar Wave Hits Liberia

Another wave of caterpillars is moving through crop fields in Liberia eating their way through plantains, bananas, coffee and cocoa.

The current wave is a different species than the first. Experts say the second caterpillar is black and white, while the one responsible for the damage in January is black and yellow (Achaea Catocaloides). The first damaging caterpillar has moved into the Ivory Coast and is eating crops there. Ivory Coast is the top cocoa producer in the world.

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The infestation is affecting human health. Caterpillar droppings fall in water supplies used by people. Also some caterpillars fall in the water and drown. The affected water can make people sick. About 500,000 people in Liberia have been affected so far.

The crops that are being eaten are the ones Liberia exports to the United States and other countries. These exports compromise over 180 million dollars of the Liberian economy.

To reduce the destruction, the Liberian government has distributed $100,000 to their Agriculture Department. USAID has contributed the same amount.The government said the infestation is probably due to changes in agricultural practices, climate change, and land use.

Hundreds of thousands of people could face starvation due to the destruction of local crops.

Image Credit: WikiCommons, Sahmeditor

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