Tens of millions of caterpillars are destroying crops in the west African country of Liberia in what the United Nations is calling the worst plague in the country's history. Liberia has declared a state of emergency and there are fears that the plague could spread to the neighboring countries of Sierra Leone, Guinea and the Ivory Coast, according to the U.N.'s Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO). An FAO task force is assessing the situation, preparing an immediate action plan and devising medium and long-term measures, according to the FAO's Winfred Hammond. Hammond cautioned against the use of aerial spraying since it was likely to further contaminate the already precarious water supply in the area. Whatever solution is found, the FAO recommends the use of less risky pesticides, including bio-pesticides when they are effective.
