In the northwestern Chinese province of Gansu, a devastating invasion of the corn crops of an army worm was discovered. This was reported by local authorities, which further increased concerns about damage to grain production in the country.

The pest, after its first detection in January in the southwestern province of Yunnan, has now spread to 20 provinces and regions of China. And now it is found in crops near the city of Lunnan in the southern part of Gansu province.

Local authorities were urged to purchase effective pesticides for pest control. This is stated in a statement by the provincial authorities, containing a list of 25 recommended by the Ministry of Agriculture of China pesticides for use in emergency situations.

Last month, Beijing said it would allot 500 million yuan (US $ 73 million) to prevent and control worms to safeguard grain production.

An army worm or Spodoptera frugipeda is a pest and can damage and destroy a wide variety of crops, causing great economic damage. The name "army worm" was given due to the ability to eat all the plant matter they encounter on a "wide front", like a large army.

Army worm or spodoptera frugiperda