DAR ES SALAAM, March 6 (Xinhuanet) -- Armyworms have so far destroyed 45,086.7 hectares of cereal fields in Tanzania, causing a state of alert throughout the country.

    A statement issued by the ministry of agriculture, food security and cooperatives said that the government had distributed free of charge 36,718 liters of pesticides to fight the crop-devouring pests.

    First forecast in January this year, armyworms are now spreading northward to the Manyara and Tanga regions from southern highlands of the Mbeya and Ruvuma regions.

    Spotting of the pests were so far reported from Morogoro, Manyara, Iringa, Tanga, Mbeya, Ruvuma, Mtwara and Lindi regions, according to statistics from the ministry.

    Armyworms migrate to graze on cereal crops of maize, sorghum, rice and wheat as well as fodder grass. Enditem