What is a Locust insect?
Locust is an insect that has short-horned like a grasshopper and moves from one place to another in a large group. They usually eat leaves and can destroy the crops field in an hour. It is a kind of grasshopper species. In the past year, Locust was not active as this time found in Gujarat, India. Its life span is about 100 days.
Locust found before were not able to fly over long speed they were too slow. But this time, Locust found are very active and fly with a speed. A large group of insects destroys the whole crop field of India.
History of Locust
The origin of Locust was also found in Mahabharat, Bible, and Quran. Its history was represented in the book. At that period Locust was in few numbers but after they got favorable conditions to survive they increased their number.
According to research, they increase their number to protect themselves from predators but that may not be the fact. Due to change in climatic conditions and to protect themselves they increase their population which makes the scarcity of food for them. A large number of Locust move from one place to another in search of food.
Recent effect of Locust
Recently, Locust is found on Gujrat of India. A large number of Locusts came from Pakistan and neighboring countries. It is found that the type of Locust is "Desert Locust".This swarming of Locust made farmer life difficult.
People try to divert locusts by spreading chemicals, beating utensils at night, fire at night, running tractors, and otherways to divert insects but unfortunately, people did not get much success in it. Millions of locusts move and destroy the whole crop field.
The farmer who depends on their life in farming has a difficult situation. In this pandemic, situation insects make life more difficult because many farmers are on a loan and they do not have any other way to pay the debt. Agricultural land of India like Gujarat, Madya Pradesh, and Rajasthan are vastly affected.
The Locust are moving in air moving direction. Locust eats about 3000 people food in a day. This destructive insect has the probability to move to neighboring countries like Nepal, Bangladesh, and Shirlanka.
If this situation starts to move on then there may be a scarcity of food. So what may be the proper way to control the Swarm of Locust.
Ways to control the Swarm of Locust
People try different ways to control the Swarm of Locust but they did not get the proper results. The case is becoming worst day by day. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) has to proceed with their effective measures to control the swarm of locusts.
There we are providing a list to control the Swarm of locust. They are in large numbers and controlling these large numbers of insects is probably a difficult task. But somehow to divert the locust this method is applicable.
1.Predator
Predators are those who eat their prey. Locust are in large numbers so we can enhance the birds, chicken, and predators who eat locust.
China use this method a year ago to overcome from locust and it found it possible. So, this method of enhancing predator to eat locust is applicable. In one day, a predator can eat up to 700 of locust.
2.Using Pesticides
Pesticides are always used to kill insects and larva. This pesticide should be used in less amount if it uses in excess amount it leads to disturbing in the environment.
This may not be the best way to control the Swarming of Locust but to control this large number of locusts we can use it in the required amount.
3.Fire at night
It may sound funny but firing at night to control birds and insects are practice from the ancient period of time. This makes fear in locust that they might get an attack. So, they try to escape from there.
In India, people try this method, and Somehow this works for them.
4.Destroying Larva
Locust produces a large number of eggs at a time. If we can destroy the egg and larva of the locust by using insecticides and pesticides.
There is another way that may or may not control the swarming Locust.
1. Running tractor in the crops field.
2. Beating steel utensils in the field.
The situation of attacking by locust is increasing day by day and it creates the worst situation in India destroying cultivated crops. Although any kind of advanced technology and method are not buildup to overcome this situation. If this case goes on then there will be a scarcity of food.
Pest management organization should act in this case to control the Swarm of Locust. If you found any issue on this topic then you can comment down below.