Swarms of locusts expected to plague Africa and Middle East, UN group says

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The swarms represent “an unprecedented threat to food security,” according to the Locust Watch website.

MARCY OSTER/JTA

MARCH 18, 2020 05:27
A locust is held by Israeli researcher at the Department of Zoology at Tel Aviv University's Faculty of Life Sciences December 22, 2015. Israeli researchers have developed a high-jumping locust lookalike robot that they hope could one day replace humans in military or search-and-rescue operations. P (photo credit: NIR ELIAS / REUTERS)
A locust is held by Israeli researcher at the Department of Zoology at Tel Aviv University's Faculty of Life Sciences December 22, 2015. Israeli researchers have developed a high-jumping locust lookalike robot that they hope could one day replace humans in military or search-and-rescue operations. P (photo credit: NIR ELIAS / REUTERS)
JERUSALEM — A plague of locusts considered “extremely alarming” is headed toward Africa and the Middle East but is likely to bypass Israel.
The locusts are breeding and forming new swarms in the Horn of Africa, The Times of Israel reported, citing Locust Watch, part of the Food and Agriculture Organization at the United Nations.
Among the countries expected to be the hardest hit are Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, Iran, Pakistan and Sudan, according to the report.
Coronavirus restrictions on travel may prevent proper, timely treatment against the pests.
The last such serious infestation in the region was a plague in 1987 to 1989.

Content retrieved from: https://www.jpost.com/International/Swarms-of-locusts-expected-to-plague-Africa-and-Middle-East-UN-group-says-621384.

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