Why is it so difficult to control a locust plague once it occurs? Why is it always followed by a drought?

Locusts are commonly known as grasshoppers. They are also a very common insect in rural areas. However, if this insect reproduces vigorously, it will form a locust plague, causing great damage to crops. Now, Africa is experiencing a very serious locust plague. So why is it so difficult to control a locust plague once it occurs?

Why is it difficult to control a locust plague once it occurs?

1. Drought

From an environmental perspective, it is mainly caused by drought, because a dry environment has many benefits for the reproduction, growth, development and survival of locusts, which makes locusts reproduce in large numbers and grow rapidly. The dry weather, firm soil and low water content all provide a more suitable environment for the reproduction and growth of yellow worm eggs.

2. Living habits

It is not difficult to find out from their living habits that they have a habit of living in groups, which leads to super strong reproductive ability; in addition, their food sources are very wide, and many plants can be used as their food; in addition, they have strong flying ability and are difficult to prevent and control; their insect eggs are hidden deep underground and are difficult to be discovered and destroyed.

3. Global warming

Global warming, especially the rise in winter temperatures, is more conducive to the reproduction of locust overwintering eggs, providing "insect eggs" for the outbreak of locust plagues in the second year; in addition, the superposition of multiple factors such as climate warming, intensified drought, grassland degradation, etc. will provide a suitable environment for locusts to lay eggs.

Why are locust plagues always followed by droughts?

Locust plagues are often accompanied by droughts, which is the so-called "extreme drought and locusts".

Locusts are insects that like warmth and dryness. A dry environment has many benefits for their reproduction, growth and survival. In the dry season, locusts reproduce. Female locusts can secrete ectohormones when laying eggs to lure other female locusts to collect and lay eggs, and the locusts hatched from the eggs are often squeezed together to obtain the high temperature required for growth and development. Clustering and migration are the reasons why locusts are common. The root cause is that the female's ovaries are immature and it takes a while for them to fully develop. Although the male is mature, it follows the female. Wait until the ovary matures before landing to mate and lay eggs. Due to the large number of locusts in the swarm, the large amount of food, and the large amount of green plants consumed, the fields have become barren in the blink of an eye, causing locust infestation.

What are the dangers of locust plagues?

Locusts are more harmful when they are in the adult stage.

Because locusts do not have the ability to fly during the nymph stage, large numbers of nymphs can only harm plants near the hatching site. Once they become adults and have the ability to fly, thousands of locusts will land somewhere, eat up all the food in an instant, and immediately fly to another place with the wind, causing great trouble to prevention and control. The damaged area increases greatly with the flying ability. Therefore, locust prevention and control is mainly carried out in the egg-laying, hatching and nymph stages, which is more effective. Once a large number of adults appear, the locust plague has already occurred.

Related News

Shangguan News: Locust plague breaks out in Africa and has spread to India and Pakistan

Countries in the Horn of Africa are in a race against time to respond to an invasion of desert locusts as the rainy season rapidly approaches, the United Nations warned on Monday, as humanitarian challenges persist.

Recently, these pests have surged in numbers, posing a serious threat to food security and livelihoods in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia. In Kenya, hundreds of millions of locusts have destroyed crops, something that has not happened in 70 years. In Somalia and Ethiopia, this has not happened in 25 years. The Somali government has declared a state of emergency due to the locust invasion.