Locust Swarms Plague Australia
Authorities in Australia begin an aerial assault on what could be the country’s worst locust plague in 30 years. Recent rainfall provides locusts good conditions to lay their eggs. Australian authorities launch an aerial assault on one of the country’s worst ever locust plagues. The insects have swarmed the state of New South Wales in their masses, threatening huge agricultural losses. For farmers, the plague is another blow after years of drought. [Scott Mitchell, Farmer]: “We’ve just come out of one natural disaster; this is just something else we have to put up with.” Grim forecasts predict the scale of the locust plague could eventually affect an area as big as Spain. Officials say the plague comes just as farmers were expecting an improved crop. [Steve Whan, New South Wales Primary Industries Minister]: “We’ve got potentially the best crop in a decade, but the worst plague in 30 years.” Better than expected rainfall in the region this winter provided the best conditions for adult locusts to lay eggs. Rising temperatures and an abundance of food since then have contributed to an increased survival rate for the insects. Estimates suggest the swarms could cause billions of dollars of damage to the agriculture industry.
This bugs me.