R 131027Z FEB 09
FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 3443
INFO ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
CIA WASHDC
DIA WASHINGTON DC
HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHDC
DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS CONAKRY 000103 
 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAGR EAID ECON KSCA GV
SUBJECT: CATERPILLAR INFESTATION HIGHLIGHTS WEAK AGRICULTURAL 
SECTOR 
 
¶1. This is an action request.  Please see paragraph 10. 
 
¶2. SUMMARY. The rare plague of caterpillars that devastated farm 
land in north and central Liberia has spread into the southern 
Forest Region of Guinea destroying crops, polluting water sources, 
and forcing farmers and families to remain in their villages and 
away from their fields. However, the infestation is unlikely to 
cause a widespread food emergency in Guinea. Pest control measures, 
including insecticide applications, have been initiated in Guinea, 
but no specific information on the efficacy of the spraying has been 
reported so far. Continued monitoring is critical both to ensure 
access to clean water supplies and that the infestation does not 
continue into the rainy season endangering vulnerable new crops. 
The infestation highlights the weakness of the agricultural sector 
in Guinea and the vulnerability of subsistence farmers. The GoG 
likely lacks the resources to respond adequately to meet the 
immediate needs of the affected population.  END SUMMARY. 
 
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ECOLOGY AND CONTROL 
------------------- 
 
¶3. Originally thought to be highly destructive army worms, the 
insects have now been positively identified as the caterpillars of 
the moth Achaea catocaloides. Relatively little is known about their 
ecology, life-cycle, or food sources in tropical ecosystems, 
although they are familiar to farmers and are one of the most common 
moths in the region. Endemic to West Africa and occurring through 
Uganda to East Africa, A. catocaloides rarely appear in such 
devastating numbers. The last infestation of such magnitude occurred 
30 years ago in Liberia. 
 
In high densities, the insects are defoliators and can strip vast 
swaths as they reproduce and devour food sources. A.catocaloides 
spin their cocoons on the ground making them susceptible to 
eradication through ground spraying and fires. In the current rare 
infestation, tens of millions have been reported on the ground in 
Guinea, dropping from trees, and falling into streams and rivers. 
Villagers use smokey fires to keep the insects away from their homes 
at night. 
 
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GUINEA INFILTRATION 
------------------- 
 
¶4.  The caterpillars have spread 25 kilometers into the lower Forest 
Region of Guinea. The Minister of Agriculture, Abdourahmane Sano, 
accompanied by a team of plant protection experts travelled to the 
Forest Region on January 31 to February 4 and met with villagers in 
Yowa, Yowi, Bafala, Gangamou, Tonote and Benie in Yomou Prefecture, 
located along the Liberian border. At this time, approximately 500 
hectacres with coffee, cacao and bananas plantations and 4500 
forested hectares are infested. The Ministry of Agriculture 
estimates that between 3,000 and 5,000 individuals are currently 
affected. 
 
¶5. Describing the situation, the mayor of Yomou, Mr. Bfamon 
Doualamou, said: "There is general panic in the area. Farmers are 
helpless and in serious need of drinkable water and assistance." 
When asked what effect the spraying had, he said that there is not 
enough manpower, insecticide or equipment to deal with the invasion. 
The local Director of Agriculture stated that most villagers were 
subsisting for now on cassava, a crop that is stored in the ground. 
When asked about the scope of the infestation, he said there were 
"billions" of caterpillars. 
 
-------------------------- 
CONTAMINATED WATER SOURCES 
-------------------------- 
 
¶6. The caterpillars have severely polluted water sources with their 
excrement. Mr Doualamou described the extent of the contamination, 
saying: "Rivers in the area are affected to the point that fish are 
dying in large numbers." Only one of the affected villages, Yowa, 
has a protected well. When asked how the other villages were coping 
with no water, he said, "as best they can." A USAID fact finding 
trip to Yomou on February 2 revealed that some villages have lacked 
water for 2-3 months depending on the level of infestation, and that 
some villagers are now suffering from diarrhea and respiratory 
conditions.  It is possible that the rainy season will flush and 
renew water sources, but in the meantime, the population remains at 
risk for water-borne diseases. Until the dry season ends in May, 
water quality will continue to be a major concern and should be 
monitored, although the Guinean Government likely lacks the capacity 
to do so. 
 
-------------------------------- 
REGIONAL FOOD EMERGENCY UNLIKELY 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶7. While the caterpillars have destroyed some crops, forests, and 
surrounding vegetation, a widespread food emergency seems unlikely. 
The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported that most 
of the essential food crops (manioc/cassava, rice, maize and millet) 
are not yet in the ground as it is the dry season. However, farmers 
may be late in ground preparation and other pest control activities 
may delay planting in time for the wet season. Continued monitoring 
of the situation is essential to reduce the risk of food insecurity, 
especially because experts warn of a potential continued infestation 
as the caterpillars reproduce into the rainy season and the 
possibility that farmers may consume next year's seed stock. 
 
------------------------ 
CONTROL EFFORTS UNDERWAY 
------------------------ 
 
¶8. In Guinea, a pest control team recently began spraying in 
affected areas in the Forest Region. The GoG supplied an inadequate 
quantity of pesticide (600 liters) to Yomou Prefecture.  Poorly 
controlled insecticide application is another area of concern as 
health and safety standards and guidelines may be compromised. USAID 
LES noted the absence of aid organizations in the area and that the 
FAO had no visible field interventions underway.  A meeting in 
Monrovia between Guinean and Liberian officials is planned this 
month to discuss the situation and harmonize control methods. 
 
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COMMENT 
------- 
 
¶9. The current A. catocaloides infestation appears to be a rare 
occurrence which has heightened the vulnerability of thousands of 
subsistence farmers and villagers, and highlighted the weakness of 
the agricultural sector in Guinea. The Ministry of Agriculture's 
National Director of Plant Protection Services told POL LES that his 
office lacks "modern pulverizers, insecticides, and resources to 
overcome this disaster."  The absence of agricultural extensionists, 
active pest control programs, coordination with agricultural 
chemical producers, combined with the lack of agricultural credit, 
leave subsistence farmers with no means of combating the infestation 
other than burning. Although monitoring is recommended, it is 
unlikely that the GoG will be able to do so, which may ultimately 
amplify the negative effects of the infestation. 
 
¶10. Post would appreciate AF/W confirming that a disaster 
declaration (if warranted) would be regarded as appropriate 
humanitarian assistance notwithstanding the current suspension. 
 
RASPOLIC