Biblical Plague of Locust Ravages Midwest
This summer's biblical plague of locusts has descended on the Midwest, leaving devastation in its wake. The locusts have destroyed crops, causing millions of dollars in damages and putting farmers out of work.
The governor of Iowa has declared a state of emergency, and the National Guard has been called in to help with the cleanup. The governors of Nebraska and Missouri have also issued emergency declarations.
The locusts are expected to continue to wreak havoc for the next few weeks. Farmers are urging the government to do more to help them recover from this disaster.
Swarm of Biblical proportions heading for east coast
A group of scientists researching a swarm of locusts the size of Rhode Island say the bugs could cause massive damage as they migrate up the east coast.
"We're predicting that these insects will cause lots of problems," said researcher Jeff Masters. The locusts are expected to arrive in the northeast in about two weeks, and could cause $4 billion in agricultural damage if they reach full size.
The swarm is the result of unusually heavy rains this spring in the locusts' breeding ground in central Africa. The rains have created ample vegetation for the bugs to eat, and allowed them to grow much larger than normal.
"This is a really bad situation – it's an unprecedented plague of biblical proportions," Masters said.
Locusts are normally not a problem in North America, but officials are advising people in affected areas to be on the lookout for them and take precautions against damage.
Millions of dollars in damage as locust plague hits Midwest farmers
A plague of locusts is wreaking havoc on Midwest farmers, resulting in millions of dollars in damage. The locusts have descended on farmer's fields in droves, feeding on the crops and damaging them beyond repair.
The plague has hit states including Iowa, Nebraska, and Minnesota, where farmers are struggling to cope with the insects' destruction. The locusts have been described as "a biblical-level event", and their numbers are only increasing.
In some cases, the locusts have destroyed up to 90% of a farmer's crop. This is a devastating blow for those who are already struggling to make a living from farming.
The locust plague is likely a result of changing weather patterns and increasing temperatures. These conditions create the perfect breeding ground for the insects, which can lay up to 3,000 eggs each.
Farmers are now scrambling to find ways to protect their crops from further damage. Some are using pesticides to try and control the locust population, but this is proving difficult due to the sheer size of the swarm. Others are simply hoping for rain or colder weather to bring an end to the plague.
Whatever measures they take, it is clear that Midwest farmers are facing a major crisis thanks to these pesky critters.
Entire crops decimated by locusts in Oklahoma, Texas
Citizens of Oklahoma and Texas are reeling from the devastation wrought by hordes of locusts that have descended on the region, decimating entire crops.
"It was as if the locusts had been sent from hell," said Travis Bailey, a farmer in Oklahoma. "They were everywhere, and they ate everything in sight."
The locust infestation has caused widespread loss of income for farmers and ranchers in the area, with some estimating that damages could reach into the millions of dollars.
Governor Mary Fallin of Oklahoma has declared a state of emergency in response to the crisis, and both Oklahoma and Texas have requested federal assistance.
The locusts are believed to have migrated to the region from Mexico, where they have been causing similar damage.
Locust invasion could cause food prices to spike
As the weather warms and the days grow longer, insects will begin to emerge from their winter slumber. One of the first and most visible visitors is the locust. The recent mild winters have allowed these pesky critters to thrive, and experts are predicting an especially bad infestation this year.
The swarms of locusts can quickly descend on farm fields and decimate crops. In some areas, they can strip a field of vegetation in just a few hours. And since locusts love to eat anything green, they can quickly destroy a farmer's livelihood.
Governments are usually quick to step in and help farmers affected by a locust invasion, but that assistance comes at a cost. Once the crops are gone, so is the food supply, and prices could spike as a result. So if you're planning on doing any grocery shopping in the near future, be prepared for higher prices on your favourite fruits and vegetables.
Ni komentarjev:
Objavite komentar