Bhojpur, August 28

Fall armyworm, an insect native to tropical and subtropical regions of America, has destroyed maize crops in Hatuwagadhi Rural Municipality in Bhojpur.

Farmers in the district were hit hard after Fall armyworm destroyed seasonal maize crop grown in the district. The farmers had planted maize crop in mid-July.

The insect has destroyed crops at Ward No 1, 2, 5 and 6 of the rural municipality.

Maize crop in neighbouring Aamchowk Rural Municipality has also been destroyed.

According to Rajendra Rai, a farmer, maize crop was also destroyed at Luggen area of the rural municipality.

The insects fed on leaf of the maize plants during night and ate the shoot of the plant during the day, according to farmers.

Chief at the Department of Agriculture in Hatuwagadhi Rural Municipality, Sagar Poudel said technicians were deployed to the affected areas to destroy the insect. Chairman Prem Kumar Rai of the rural municipality said the municipality has been working to control the insect.