Beware! The locusts are swarming this summer
FAST FACTS
Government is ultimately responsible for managing locust outbreaks.
Outbreaks need to be reported as soon as possible.
New technologies, such as drones and a GPS-linked app, can improve control strategies.
Overall conditions favour the development of giant populations of brown locust (Locustana pardalina) this summer.
Hundreds of adult swarms were reported in the Karoo during the autumn months of 2020 and 2021, and laid their eggs over a wide area. These lay dormant during winter, but are now hatching in large numbers. In addition, normal to above-normal summer rainfall has been forecast for South Africa, and this will increase the chances of survival for the hatching hoppers. According to Dr Gerhard Verdoorn, operations and stewardship manager at CropLife South Africa, widespread small outbreaks have already been reported
