Natural Fungus Shows Promise Against African Armyworm; New Study Links Beef and Dairy to Biodiversity Loss

South African scientist Letodi Luki Mathulwe has discovered that a naturally occurring soil fungus can effectively kill African armyworms, a major crop pest in eastern and southern Africa. The research began after Mathulwe observed fields of dead caterpillars covered in a white substance, which turned out to be the fungus. This breakthrough offers a potential biological alternative to chemical pesticides for protecting staple crops like maize and sorghum.

Separately, a new study reported that beef and dairy production account for 41% of biodiversity damage linked to global farmland. The findings highlight the significant environmental impact of livestock farming, particularly in terms of habitat loss and species decline. The study underscores the need for more sustainable agricultural practices, though it does not propose specific policy changes.