InfoSearched
Published -
- February 7, 2020
- 9:01 am
Return of the Plagues – Locusts
Swarms of locusts are still a very real plague today. They afflict drought areas, especially after a rare rainfall, leaving a trail of destruction behind. In Africa, this regularly leads to disastrous famines. Fighting the locusts with crop dusters is too costly for many of the poorer countries, and classic insecticides take an extremely high toll on the environment and the remaining plants.
Researchers all over the world are looking for new, more effective ways to combat the invaders. Scientists at the University of Halle in Germany are experimenting with pheromones that might upset the insects’ mating behavior.
In Australia, where swarms of locusts have recently been destroying crops in parts of the country that never had this problem before, the locusts are being attacked with crop-dusting helicopters that apply pesticides in minimum dosage. But an aerial application is extremely sensitive to the wind, and the deadly mist might easily miss its target.
“… locusts … invaded all Egypt …. They covered all the ground until it was black,” reports the Bible. “They devoured … everything growing in the fields … – nothing green remained on trees or palms in all the lands of Egypt.” (Exodus 10:14–15)
What is the current outbreak of locusts, and how severe is the impact on food security?
As the world faces new challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, a warning has been sounded about the return of an old plague – locusts. The locusts have descended upon several countries in Africa and Asia, causing widescale damage to crops and threatening food security.
Locusts are grasshoppers that form swarms and migrate across vast areas, feeding on crops and causing severe devastation. They are considered one of the most destructive pests in the world, capable of destroying entire fields of crops in a matter of hours.
The current outbreak of locusts has been described as the worst in decades, with swarms stretching from Horn of Africa to the Middle East and South Asia. Countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen have already been severely affected, with Pakistan and India also facing the threat.
The primary cause of the locust outbreak has been attributed to weather conditions, particularly the heavy rains that resulted in favorable breeding conditions for the insects. The warmer climate has also extended the breeding cycle of locusts, leading to larger swarms that can travel greater distances.
The impact of the locust outbreak has been significant, with millions of people facing food shortages and economic losses. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has warned that the situation could further escalate, with new waves of locusts expected to emerge later in the year.
The control and prevention of locust swarms are challenging, with the use of pesticides being the primary method of control. However, the aerial spraying of pesticides can be expensive and hazardous to the environment and human health.
Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the procurement and distribution of pesticides and other essential supplies, making it even more challenging to control the locust swarms.
In conclusion, the locust outbreak is a significant threat to food security, and concerted efforts are required to prevent further damage. Governments and international organizations must work together to provide resources and support to affected countries to control the outbreak effectively.
The long-term solution lies in addressing the root causes of the outbreak, including climate change, land degradation, and poverty. As the world prepares to confront new challenges posed by the pandemic, the return of the locusts serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of our food systems and the need for sustainable and resilient agriculture.
