Desert locust hotspot found in Libya’s Sirte
New desert locust hot spots have been discovered in Sirte and several cities in central and southern Libya, confirming fears of their spread.
According to The Libya Observer on March 23rd, Libya is currently making sustained efforts to combat the spread of desert locusts.
Abdul Salam, Director of the Central Agricultural Police Branch, confirmed that desert locust control efforts are continuing in the areas of Al-Ghazi, Al-Haba’a, and Al-Qadawariya in Sirte.
The locust swarms are currently being monitored in the Al-Farjaniya area in the Wadi Jarif.
Earlier in March, desert locusts were found in Tunisia’s Tataouine, as they attempted to escape Libya’s rainy season. However, the discovery of these hotspots in Libya suggest the country still has work to do in controlling the spread of the insects.
Desert locusts consume very large amounts of crops and vegetation, with a small swarm able to eat the same amount of food in a day as 35,000 people. One insect alone can eat the equivalent of its own weight in a day. If swarms of locusts are not controlled, regions can experience crop failures and food shortages. The desert locust has been dubbed the most destructive migratory pest in the world by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations.
The Libya Observer, Maghrebi, Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations
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