Fall Armyworm has spread faster and farther this year to date than during the previous year posing a larger threat to a wide range of crops  in China.

Fall Armyworm (FAW) has spread across the Yangtze River and entered central China, reaching the border of Henan Province earlier this growing season than it did during last season, USDA reports.

FAW’s movement to Northern China this year has occurred at least three months earlier than last year, making it highly likely that the pest will establish itself in Northeast China, the largest corn producing region in China. While some industry contacts and academics predict the country will suffer a corn deficit and corresponding soaring prices this year, the Chinese government released their official estimate that corn production will decline only 2.5 percent due to the pest.

FAW has spread faster and farther this year to date than during the previous year posing a larger threat to a wide range of crops this growing season. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) affiliated National Agriculture Technology Extension Service Center (NATESC) reported that FAW larvae have been found in Fujian, Hubei, Sichuan, Jiangxi, Chongqing, Anhui, Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang by early June 2020. In the case of Zhejiang Province, the detection in 2020 is more than three months earlier than in 2019.

Northeast China is preparing for FAW’s introduction this Summer. The Heilongjiang Soybean Association (HAS) issued a warning on May 26 that the FAW may enter Northeast China in late June or early July, mainly damaging corn crops. HSA added that FAW was detected in Jiangsu and Anhui Provinces this March, then was detected along the Yangtze River in April and May. HAS said that FAW will probably enter Shandong in June and finally reach Northeast China, the major corn growing region, producing 45 percent of China’s annual corn crop.