Do Locusts Still Pose A Threat?

Desert locust outbreaks are causing widespread damage in key regions of the world, with heavy wind and rain potentially triggering these outbreaks. These synchronized outbreaks are strongly linked to climate change, with desert locusts migrating long distances, threatening crops in North Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. Rising temperatures could expand the global area under threat from crop-devouring locusts by up to 25% in the coming decades. As more places experience the cycles, locust swarms could soon expand to new regions in south and west central Asia.

The desert locust, also known as Schistocerca gregaria, is considered the most dangerous migratory pest in the world. It can devour large swarms of locusts, wreaking havoc in parts of East Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, threatening crops, livelihoods, and food supplies. Climate change will dramatically increase the intensity of locust swarms, resulting in even more crops lost to insect pests and threatening food security. Locust swarms have infested 23 countries, with East Africa being the epicenter of the locust crisis. The locust outbreaks in Ethiopia and Somalia are the worst in 25 years, and in Kenya the worst in 75 years.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization states that desert locusts can pose a threat to the livelihoods of 10 of the world’s population. With the forecast for above-average rainfall for December, localised breeding is likely to continue under favorable habitat conditions. Between June 2019 and February 2022, a major outbreak of desert locusts began developing, threatening food supplies in East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.

Why Don'T We Have Locust Swarms Anymore?

Flooding, new animal introductions, and heavy plowing have significantly disturbed locust eggs in the soil, contributing to the likely extinction of M. spretus (the Rocky Mountain locust) during a critical vulnerable period. Despite its disappearance over the past century leaving entomologists puzzled, there is speculation that it might still exist somewhere. Citizens in regions affected by locust swarms, where food scarcity is prevalent, question why locusts aren't being utilized as a food source.

Climate change is anticipated to increase the frequency of desert locust swarms by triggering events like cyclones and heavy rainfall. While the High Plains locust remains, it is a rarely seen grasshopper. New research indicates that heavy winds and rains could be responsible for synchronized desert locust outbreaks across major agricultural areas. The desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria, has devastated crops across East Africa, the Middle East, and Southwest Asia since late 2019, marking a significant agricultural crisis.

Additionally, locust swarming leads to substantial crop damage, causing economic losses for farmers. Between 1875 and 1900, various disturbances resulted in the extermination of the Rocky Mountain locust, with the devastating 1874 swarm affecting an area twice the size of Colorado. Currently, locust swarms threaten the livelihoods of 10% of the global population, highlighting the urgent need for effective management tools to predict and combat these transboundary pests.

What Is The Bug Infestation In 2024?

2024 will be a significant year for cicadas, as two distinct broods—one on a 13-year cycle and the other on a 17-year cycle—will emerge simultaneously, marking a rare event not seen since 1803. This massive emergence will begin in late April across the Midwest and Southeast, ushering in a loud mating ritual expected to dominate the 2024 Growing Season. Experts, including FMC's Stratman, anticipate no significant increase in pest infestations despite the massive cicada presence.

For over a decade, these periodical cicadas remain underground, feeding on tree root sap before making their notable appearance. This year represents the most extensive cicada emergence in centuries, with trillions expected to surface and produce their characteristic buzzing sounds and molted exoskeletons. Concurrently, bed bugs are making headlines, particularly in urban areas like Canada and France, where infestations have surged—causing concern during events like the 2024 Olympics.

Bed bugs, tiny insects that feed on blood, are on the rise in various settings, prompting discussions on protection methods. In summary, 2024 is set to be a remarkable year dominated by the cicada phenomenon and accompanied by a growing bed bug issue.

Are There Locusts In North America Today?

North America is uniquely positioned as the only continent besides Antarctica without a native locust species. Historically, the Rocky Mountain locust (Melanoplus spretus) was a major agricultural pest across the western United States, causing significant damage until its extinction in the early 20th century. Another species, the High Plains locust (Dissosteira longipennis), reached plague levels during the 1930s Dust Bowl but has since become rare, ensuring that locust swarms no longer plague the continent.

Unlike regions where locusts are a persistent agricultural threat, North America instead deals with cicadas. Florida alone hosts 19 types of cicadas that emerge annually, though not in the massive swarms seen in other states. In 2024, several large broods of cicadas are expected to emerge across 17 states, potentially increasing backyard activity.

Researchers remain curious about the disappearance of native locusts, with some attributing the Rocky Mountain locust’s extinction to genetic factors. The Migratory Grasshopper, a close relative of locusts, is widespread across North America but does not form destructive swarms. While locusts can migrate over great distances, such as the 1988 swarms from North Africa reaching the Caribbean and South America, they have not established native populations in North America.

Institutions like Texas A&M are actively studying transboundary pests, including locust species from other regions, to manage and predict their spread. Consequently, while locusts are significant pests globally, North America remains free from their native presence, relying instead on cicadas to fill their ecological niche.

Why Are There So Many Locusts Right Now?

The current locust outbreak, exacerbated by cyclones dumping heavy rain in Oman, Yemen, and the Horn of Africa, has created ideal breeding conditions for desert locusts, according to Keith Cressman of the U. N. FAO. These swarms are causing widespread destruction across East Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, threatening both food supplies and livelihoods. This is the worst locust infestation in decades.

Desert locusts, part of approximately 20 species, migrate over vast distances, making their control challenging. Recently, videos have circulated on social media showcasing swarms in countries like India, Pakistan, China, and the UAE, impacting farmers in Uganda and beyond.

A study indicates that climate change over recent decades correlates with synchronized desert locust outbreaks. As the world grapples with COVID-19, East Africa faces additional difficulties, with countries like Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia currently affected. The new predictive model developed by researchers at the University of Cambridge aims to preemptively address future locust swarms before they escalate.

Historically, locusts have been known to cause famine since the time of ancient Egypt. The realities of climate change, leading to extreme weather conditions in the Indian Ocean, have fostered environments conducive to locust proliferation. The predicted range of desert locusts could expand by 5 to 25 percent by 2100, driven by cyclical droughts. The FAO’s Locust Watch serves as an essential resource for monitoring and tackling these emerging threats.

Will Locusts Grow In The Future?

A recent study indicates that the habitat of desert locusts may expand by 5 to 25 percent globally by 2100 due to climate change, which could introduce these pests into areas currently free of locusts, such as parts of Afghanistan, India, Iran, and Turkmenistan. The desert locust poses a significant threat to food security, particularly for smallholder farmers in Africa and Asia, as it is the most destructive migratory pest capable of extensive travel. Research suggests that climate-induced erratic weather patterns and increased winds and rainfall are driving synchronized and widespread locust outbreaks, especially in key agricultural regions.

Existing locust hotspots will remain at high risk through 2065–2100, even with reduced carbon emissions. As the climate warms, locust populations are expected to grow rapidly, with multiple generations emerging within a single season, heightening the likelihood of outbreaks. Additionally, migrating locust populations from South America are predicted to spread further from the equator due to changing climatic conditions.

Effective management and predictive tools are critical to control the expansive behavior of desert locust populations and mitigate potential crop damage. Such tools will support national agencies in preemptively managing locust swarms to protect food crops. Consequently, the rising temperatures and extended vegetative periods for plants could lead to increased productivity, but the overall threat from locusts looms larger in future climates, reinforcing the need for proactive pest management strategies.

Why Did Locusts Go Extinct In The US?

In just a few years, livestock greatly diminished the habitats essential for the Rocky Mountain locust (Melanoplus spretus), leading to its extinction and the cessation of locust swarms in North America. This species, once prevalent across the western U. S. and parts of Canada, was noted for its massive swarms, which became a significant pest in the American Great Plains until the late 19th century. Despite their vast numbers, locust populations naturally retreated to their northern Rocky breeding grounds after outbreaks.

By the early 20th century, however, the Rocky Mountain locust vanished, sparking inquiries into the reason behind its disappearance. Factors like mining, agriculture, and ranching drastically altered its habitat, rendering it unsuitable for breeding. Concerns about the effects of their extinction arise, but their absence has arguably benefited agriculture in North America, where the locusts had once posed a threat. The extinction mystery persists; potential causes continue to be explored, including human interference that led to the eradication of their critical habitats.

The 1874 locust plague is among the last significant events noted but did not herald further invasions, eventually leading to the locust’s demise. Today, the Rocky Mountain locust is recognized as extinct for over a century, raising questions about its ecological consequences.

Are Swarms Of Desert Locusts Causing A 20-Fold Increase?

Massive swarms of desert locusts are causing significant destruction across parts of East Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, posing severe threats to crops, livelihoods, and food supplies. Currently, the region faces the worst locust infestation in decades. If these swarms are not effectively controlled, the upcoming rainy season could lead to a 20-fold increase in locust numbers in certain areas. Climate change is anticipated to exacerbate the situation by triggering events such as cyclones and intense rainfall, which bring much-needed moisture to desert regions, fostering plant growth and providing ideal breeding conditions for locusts.

Desert locust control has become a top priority for ensuring food security, as these pests are the most destructive migratory threats to smallholder farmers in Africa and Asia. Locusts are capable of traveling long distances, with a single swarm capable of moving up to 90 miles a day, containing up to 80 million locusts, and consuming the equivalent of 35, 000 people’s daily food intake. Each new generation of locusts emerges every eight weeks, typically experiencing a 20-fold population increase per generation. In favorable conditions, populations can multiply by 400 times within a few months, particularly in regions like Kenya and Somalia.

Recent research indicates that heavy winds and rainfall may be synchronizing locust outbreaks in key agricultural areas worldwide. Studies from Arizona State University highlight that climate change is likely to make locust swarms more intense and frequent, with the potential for their habitats to expand. The frequency of such events could increase three-fold by 2099 compared to the 20th century, driven by more extreme weather patterns.

The economic and social impacts of these locust swarms are profound, disrupting food supplies, undermining livelihoods, and necessitating substantial resources for control measures. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warns that without additional efforts to combat the swarms, locust numbers in regions like South Asia could surge dramatically during the rainy season. Overall, the interplay between climate change and locust proliferation underscores the urgent need for coordinated global responses to mitigate this growing threat to food security.

What Happens If We Don'T Control Locusts?

Without significant control measures, damages from locust swarms could reach US$8. 5 billion by the end of 2020, exacerbating food insecurity in the Horn of Africa and beyond. A comprehensive predictive model has been developed to forecast locust swarm movements several days in advance, allowing for targeted control efforts. Past attempts at modeling have not achieved this level of specificity. Conducted experiments suggest locusts are vulnerable to attack from the side, emphasizing the need for effective management tools against these pests, particularly the desert locust, which devastates crops in countries like Uganda.

Traditional control methods rely heavily on insecticides, while newer techniques incorporate integrated pest management (IPM) strategies that blend cultural, biological, and chemical approaches to disrupt the locust lifecycle. Although extreme methods like flamethrowers and lasers have been considered, they are not in use. Locusts exhibit two contrasting behaviors—solitary and gregarious—and are known for their voracious eating habits, making them a longstanding threat to food security.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization notes that they can jeopardize the livelihoods of a significant portion of the global population. Although they do not attack humans, they can nibble defensively and should not be consumed if treated with pesticides. Ongoing research aims to understand locust behavior and effective control measures as their impact on agriculture and food security persists.

Are Locusts Wreaking Havoc In East Africa?

Dr. Swidbert R. Ott and Dr. Tom Matheson from the University of Leicester provide critical insights into the devastating behavior of desert locusts currently plaguing East Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Massive swarms, estimated at 192 billion insects and surpassing three times the size of New York City, have been observed in northeast Kenya, as reported by Save The Children. These locusts pose a severe threat to crops, livelihoods, and food security for millions of people in the region.

The outbreak, which began in early 2020, marks Kenya's worst desert locust infestation in over seven decades. The Horn of Africa, already grappling with unprecedented droughts and occasional flash floods, faces exacerbated food insecurity due to the locusts' relentless consumption of vegetation. Swarms, capable of devouring entire crops and pastures within hours, are likened to biblical plagues, highlighting the dire situation's severity.

Human activities have disrupted ocean circulation patterns, contributing to the unusual climatic conditions that favor the proliferation of these pests. Authorities across seven affected countries, including Ethiopia and Somalia, are racing against time to control the swarms. The World Bank estimates that the infestation will cost East Africa and Yemen approximately $8. 5 billion this year, further undermining economic stability and increasing hunger and malnutrition risks.

The locusts not only destroy essential food crops but also devastate trees and pasturelands, impacting livestock farmers and the agricultural sector's overall health. Efforts to mitigate the crisis involve coordinated responses from governments and international organizations, focusing on early detection, rapid response, and sustainable management practices to prevent future outbreaks.

In summary, the desert locust crisis in East Africa represents a multifaceted threat driven by environmental changes and human-induced factors. The scale of the infestation threatens the region's food security, economic stability, and the livelihoods of tens of millions, necessitating urgent and comprehensive action to combat this unprecedented agricultural disaster.