They may be teeny tiny, but in swarms, locusts can create major agricultural destruction which can lead to food shortages especially in a city that is unprepared to deal with the loss of crop.
Recent sightings of locust swarms in some areas in Dubai sparked concerns if the biggest locust outbreak in 70 years is invading the UAE soon.
Twenty-three countries across East Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia particularly India and Pakistan, lately, reported destructive locust and desert locust attacks – considered the biggest outbreak in recent times, according to the World Bank.
Locusts swarm spotted in #Dubai pic.twitter.com/JgMxH0IlDf
— Fakhr-e-Alam (@falamb3) May 25, 2020
What are desert locusts?
The ones usually seen in the UAE are the Desert Locusts, a notorious species, according to the National Geographic. They can travel up to 150 kilometers a day, sometimes in swarms as large as 250 kilometers across, eating up every bit of greenery on their way.
According to Reuters, In Kenya, the locusts are eating in one day the amount of food consumed by all Kenyans in two days.
Is this the first locusts swarm in the UAE?
The National said that the last sighting of a locust swarm, probably the UAE’s worst plague in half a century, happened a decade ago when swarms devastated much of Al Ain’s date palms.
Should residents be worried?
Strong winds brought the locusts from Africa to the UAE. However, Dubai authorities assure the public that there is an effort to control the (impending) swarm and eventually eliminate them completely.
“Pest control teams are intensifying their efforts to eliminate them permanently… The situation is under control and there’s no need to worry.”
Dubai Municipality, via Emarat Al-Youm
Do locusts attack people?
Locusts do not attack people or animals – especially if you don’t live within huge vegetation or agricultural area. They won’t transmit viruses as don’t carry diseases.
But some experts worry that locust plagues will worsen in a warming world, which means more crop damage and less food for the hungry.
Top photo by National Geographic
