Lives destroyed as armyworms invade Philippine 'onion capital'

Mitchy Medrano clears weeds from the corn crops she grows after her onion crops were destroyed by armyworms. - Reuters

BAYAMBANG, Philippines (Reuters): In the northwestern Philippine town of Bayambang, long known as the onion capital of Pangasinan province, an invasion of the crop-devouring armyworms has stolen farmer Merlita Gallardo's income - and her husband.

The family's half hectare of onion fields - which once brought them a lucrative income - has been ravaged by the pest since 2016, when rising temperatures helped drive a surge in armyworms, bringing devastation to hundreds of the area's farmers.