ISRAELI experts have identified the locust swarms infesting Cyprus as desert locusts, which the government says have particularly large appetites.
Experts from Tel Aviv visited villages near Paphos and Limassol yesterday morning to examine the locusts, which are a pinky-red colour.
Andreas Constantinou, head of the Agriculture Department said: “Our fears have been confirmed. It’s a very dangerous pest.”
The swarm was initially believed to be the red locust, due to its colouring. But experts confirmed the creatures infesting Cyprus were desert locusts, which are red in colour before they fully mature.
“The good news is that because these locusts have not reached maturity they are sexually inactive as yet,” Constantinou said. “It could be weeks before they are old enough to breed. This buys us a bit more time.”
Agriculture officials and farmers are still hoping for cooler weather, as higher temperatures and longer daylight hours speed up maturity in desert locusts, which inhabit the northern stretch of the sub-Sahara.
Nick Symons, Director of the Cyprus Centre for Environment Studies, said desert locusts are believed to be more tolerant of cooler conditions than red locusts, but stressed that they were not necessarily more of a threat to crops: “Any migrating locust swarms and causes damage.”
Andreas Kazantzis, district head of Agriculture for Paphos, said a new swarm of locusts was noticed between Yiolou and Simou yesterday morning and a crop-dusting plane was used to spray specific areas in the villages.
“The swarm was satisfactorily controlled. We have also heard of sightings at Miliou and Theletra, and these must be new swarms blown inland from the sea.”
Officials had planned to spray the area around Inia and Kritou Terra this morning, but their plans were scuppered when the locusts dispersed.
“The team was on the ground at 6am ready to spray, as we have observed the insects tend to stay on the ground until after 9am when it’s warmer. But they had moved,”
Kazantzis said.
The Agriculture Ministry has called on the public to inform local authorities if they see the locusts so the insects’ movements can be monitored.
Constantinou also confirmed the government had been approached by a German company, which says it has produced a means of combating locusts which is entirely environmentally friendly.
“It’s very expensive but we are co-operating with the firm and we may test the product,” he said.
“A totally environmentally friendly substance would make our job much easier.”
