A massive swarm of locusts that has been eating up everything in its path in Africa crossed the Red Sea into Saudi Arabia.
Locusts have been plaguing Africa for several years, generating a dire famine, has now crossed the Red Sea and entered Saudi Arabia, covering more than 300 miles of coastline from Jizan to Lith.
The swarm crossed the border into the United Arab Emirates. The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) control teams sprayed over 21,000 acres of infested regions using the recommended pesticides, to reduce desert locust’s impact on crops and production.125 engineers and 144 workers participated in control operations, while 72 vehicles were used in spraying locusts.
Despite the efforts of the top experts to stem the infestation, locusts struck on three continents in 2020. A swarm estimated at 40 million creatures passed through Argentina, spreading to other countries as well. Another swarm hit Asia.
Swarms are often tens of square kilometers in size. A swarm of just one square kilometer eats the same amount of food in one day as 35,000 people. The swarms also can travel 93 miles a day making efforts to control an outbreak even more difficult. Officials warned that further rains in the region could lead to an even larger outbreak.
The infestation of grasshoppers occurs in the area every few years but is markedly different than the more destructive locust. Though all locusts are grasshoppers with no taxonomic distinction made between them, not all grasshoppers are locusts. Locusts are a certain species of short-horned grasshoppers that have a swarming phase, usually in response to overcrowding.
No comments:
Post a Comment