Hungry caterpillars destroying crops

MONROVIA, Liberia, Jan. 28 (UPI) -- The hordes of caterpillars destroying crops in northern Liberia appear to be moving into other Africa nations, a government spokesman says.

Liberian Information Minister Laurance Bropleh told CNN Wednesday the worm-like larvae may have spread to neighboring Guinea, Sierra Leone, and the Ivory Coast.

The caterpillar infestation has prompted Liberian President Ellen Johnson to declare a state of emergency in the northern counties of Bong, Lofa and Gbarpolu.

Johnson appointed a special task force to identify the species of caterpillars and begin spraying to get rid of them.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization says investigators suspect the caterpillars are African armyworms.