THE desert locust also known as the Schistocerca gregaria is a swarm producing, migratory and disastrous pest. It has been creating problem since ancient times. Having a polyphagous nature, they eat whatever green vegetation comes in their way and may eat equal to their own body’s weight.

The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation operates a centralised Desert Locust Information Service (DLIS) which monitors desert locust situations throughout the world and releases a locust watch bulletin every month for forecasting and warning to countries which are in danger.

However, despite these facts and figures, a huge swarm of locust emerged in the Thari Mirwah area one of Khairpur Mir’s.

Towards the north of Thari Mirwah, along the Nara desert, thousands of locusts are destroying agricultural fields.

A similar outbreak happened in 1982 and 1984, according to locals, when a swarm of locust destroyed acres of agricultural land.

Recently in Balochistan, Pasni has also come under a severe locust swarm attack. Reports indicate that the insects will continue to breed and the numbers will increase in the coming weeks.

Dr Riffat Sultana & Dr Ahmed Ali Samejo

Jamshoro

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2019