AsaaseYaaTermites
Small pale insects that eat roots, stems and planting material from below the soil.
What it looks like
Every field looks a little different. If you are not sure, ask in the app’s Farmers, or ask an agronomist.
When it comes
| Crop | Stage | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Maize | Establishment | Scout every 3–4 days |
| Cassava | Establishment | Scout weekly for first month |
| Soybean | Establishment | Scout daily for first 10 days |
What to look for
Walk the field every 3–4 days. Look at the young leaves — if they have ragged holes or look chewed, you have caterpillars. Bend down and check the base of each plant: small black pellets (looks like coarse pepper) means Fall Armyworm has been there. If more than 1 in 5 plants is damaged, spray with a recommended pesticide that evening.
Once a week for the first month, look at the young cassava leaves. If they show yellow patches in odd patterns (mosaic), that's a virus called CMD — there's no cure, so remove and burn those plants right away. Always plant clean stem cuttings from healthy fields. Watch for termites near the cutting too.
Look at the seedlings every day for the first 10 days. Plants cut at the base = cutworms (active at night). Tiny insect tunnels into stems near the soil with yellowing/wilting = bean fly — treat fast or replant. Once seedlings are damaged, recovery is hard.
Also watch for
General advice from crop guides for Ghana. Before you spray, ask your agro-input dealer for a product registered for this pest, read the label, and wear gloves. For a serious attack, call your district agriculture office or an agronomist.
Catch it early
AsaaseYaa reminds you when to check your crop for pests, and shows you what to look for. Free.