Panic has gripped farmers across western India as swarms of locust destroyed crops. The insects have already ravaged farmlands.&nbsp;

Experts say that the unseasonable appearance of locusts may be due to the change in wind pattern after the prolonged monsoon.

Locusts generally come in July. Meanwhile, farmers have said that the government did not take timely action.

They said that the government did not spray insecticides until the situation went out of control.

Locust swarm displays a 'swarm behaviour' which essentially means a collective motion of a large number of animals of similar size.&nbsp;

Just one swarm can cover up to 20% of the land surface of the earth, affecting the livelihood of 10% of the world’s population.

They can consume up to 200 tonnes of vegetation a day.The locusts in a swarm tend to move in the same direction while avoiding collision with each other.

What is a locust?

Belongs to the grasshopper family. Plague of locusts is a natural disaster, a locust swarm can fly up to 90 miles per day.

Rainfall can increase locusts by 20-fold in 3 months. Adult locust can eat equivalent to their weight every day. There can be 80 million locusts in a swarm. Locusts can also turn cannibal.

How do locusts wreak havoc?

1. Locust displays 'swarm' behaviour 
2.Swarm behaviour' means the collective motion of same sized animals&nbsp; 
3. One swarm can contain up to 80 million locusts. 
4. One swarm can cover 20% of land cover. 
5. &nbsp;Can affect the livelihood of 10% world population. 
6. A swarm can consume up to 200 tonnes of vegetations per day.&nbsp; 
7. Each locust can eat up to their own body weight. 
8. &nbsp;Locusts tend to remain close to their neighbours.

Panic has gripped farmers across western India as swarms of locust destroyed crops. The insects have already ravaged farmlands. Experts say that the unseasonable appearance of locusts may be due to the change in wind pattern after the prolonged monsoon.

Panic has gripped farmers across western India as swarms of locust destroyed crops. The insects have already ravaged farmlands. Experts say that the unseasonable appearance of locusts may be due to the change in wind pattern after the prolonged monsoon. Locusts generally come in July. Meanwhile, farmers have said that the government did not take timely action. They said that the government did not spray insecticides until the situation went out of control. Locust swarm displays a 'swarm behaviour' which essentially means a collective motion of a large number of animals of similar size. Just one swarm can cover up to 20% of the land surface of the earth, affecting the livelihood of 10% of the world’s population. They can consume up to 200 tonnes of vegetation a day.The locusts in a swarm tend to move in the same direction while avoiding collision with each other. What is a locust? Belongs to the grasshopper family. Plague of locusts is a natural disaster, a locust swarm can fly up to 90 miles per day. Rainfall can increase locusts by 20-fold in 3 months. Adult locust can eat equivalent to their weight every day. There can be 80 million locusts in a swarm. Locusts can also turn cannibal. How do locusts wreak havoc? 1. Locust displays 'swarm' behaviour 2.Swarm behaviour' means the collective motion of same sized animals 3. One swarm can contain up to 80 million locusts. 4. One swarm can cover 20% of land cover. 5. Can affect the livelihood of 10% world population. 6. A swarm can consume up to 200 tonnes of vegetations per day. 7. Each locust can eat up to their own body weight. 8. Locusts tend to remain close to their neighbours.

Gujarat faces deadly locust attack: Panic grips western India

Somalia is facing a locust attack, with the farmers pleading the government and the international community to protect their crops.&nbsp;

Many are unable to feed their families owing to the attack, Reuters reported.&nbsp;

"Locusts already ate our grazing area so we are now fighting to save at least our farm, where we planted watermelon and beans. We aren't able to protect them and we call on the Somali government and international community to help us", said Jamad Mohamed, a farmer in Dhusamareb, the provincial capital of Galgadud, a semi-autonomous region.

"Locusts devoured the whole area and have now reached our farm to eat our plants, as you can see," said Jirow Qorhere, another Somali farmer. "This is the end, we have nothing left to feed our children and we aren’t even able to buy from the market."

According to sources, the insects have destroyed 175,000 acres of farmland in Somalia and neighbouring Ethiopia. This has put their food supplies under threat. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) called it the worst locust invasion in 70 years.

(With inputs from agencies)

Somalia is facing a locust attack, with the farmers pleading the government and the international community to protect their crops. Many are unable to feed their families owing to the attack, Reuters reported.

Somalia is facing a locust attack, with the farmers pleading the government and the international community to protect their crops. Many are unable to feed their families owing to the attack, Reuters reported. "Locusts already ate our grazing area so we are now fighting to save at least our farm, where we planted watermelon and beans. We aren't able to protect them and we call on the Somali government and international community to help us", said Jamad Mohamed, a farmer in Dhusamareb, the provincial capital of Galgadud, a semi-autonomous region. "Locusts devoured the whole area and have now reached our farm to eat our plants, as you can see," said Jirow Qorhere, another Somali farmer. "This is the end, we have nothing left to feed our children and we aren’t even able to buy from the market." According to sources, the insects have destroyed 175,000 acres of farmland in Somalia and neighbouring Ethiopia. This has put their food supplies under threat. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) called it the worst locust invasion in 70 years. (With inputs from agencies)

Locust invasion in Somalia threatens livelihoods of farmers

The government of Pakistan's Punjab province has formed 102 special teams to monitor the possibility of a locust attack on cotton crops in the southern region of the province.

The decision has been taken following a recent directive by Punjab Chief Secretary Yousaf Naseem Khokhar to evolve a plan to deal with the looming threat of locust attack.

According to a report by The Express Tribune, around 23 teams will work in Dera Ghazi Khan, 36 in Bahawalpur and 43 in Multan districts of the province.

Additionally, the Agricultural Department in the province would also be provided with airplanes of the Federal Plant Protection Department in a bid to control locust movement, said Provincial Secretary Agriculture, Wasif Khursheed.

Commissioner Dera Ghazi Khan Division Asadullah Faiz said that the divisional and district administration is monitoring the movement of locusts continuously and no locust has been found anywhere in the division so far.

Cotton runs Pakistan's textile industry, generating scores of jobs.

The country cannot afford to lose its cotton, especially at a time when it has secured a bailout package from the International Monetary Fund. The government has deployed pesticide-mounted vehicles and aircraft to control the situation.

Locusts first emerged from Sudan and Eritrea in January this year.

By February, they had hit Saudi Arabia and Iran before heading to Pakistan's Balochistan in March.

The last major locust attack in Pakistan happened back in 1993 and 1997.

The government of Pakistan's Punjab province has formed 102 special teams to monitor the possibility of a locust attack on cotton crops in the southern region of the province.

The government of Pakistan's Punjab province has formed 102 special teams to monitor the possibility of a locust attack on cotton crops in the southern region of the province. The decision has been taken following a recent directive by Punjab Chief Secretary Yousaf Naseem Khokhar to evolve a plan to deal with the looming threat of locust attack. According to a report by The Express Tribune, around 23 teams will work in Dera Ghazi Khan, 36 in Bahawalpur and 43 in Multan districts of the province. Additionally, the Agricultural Department in the province would also be provided with airplanes of the Federal Plant Protection Department in a bid to control locust movement, said Provincial Secretary Agriculture, Wasif Khursheed. Commissioner Dera Ghazi Khan Division Asadullah Faiz said that the divisional and district administration is monitoring the movement of locusts continuously and no locust has been found anywhere in the division so far. Cotton runs Pakistan's textile industry, generating scores of jobs. The country cannot afford to lose its cotton, especially at a time when it has secured a bailout package from the International Monetary Fund. The government has deployed pesticide-mounted vehicles and aircraft to control the situation. Locusts first emerged from Sudan and Eritrea in January this year. By February, they had hit Saudi Arabia and Iran before heading to Pakistan's Balochistan in March. The last major locust attack in Pakistan happened back in 1993 and 1997.

Pakistan: Punjab government forms 102 special team to control locust attack

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