BEIJING, CHINA — Danger from the fall armyworm has passed for China’s corn crop this year and for now is no longer a threat for the major production area in the northeast, Reuters reported.

The pest, which can decimate large amounts of crops, has been moving north in China since January. Corn harvest is set to begin in October.

Armyworm spread to 25 provinces this year, Reuters said, and impacted 1 million hectares. But it did not reach the northeast, which is China’s most important corn production region.

Damage mostly was contained to the southwest, where some places saw more than 5% of the crop damaged.

Armyworm has now settled in China and will be back next year to threaten the crop. The Chinese government is planning to deploy prevention and control measures early, Reuters said.