Plague of biblical proportions: Locust swarm descends on Midwest

In what can only be called a plague of biblical proportions, a locust swarm has descended on the Midwest, devastating crops and leaving farmers reeling.

The locusts are the offspring of millions of grasshoppers that hatched this summer in Montana and spread to Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas. The locusts have chewed up an estimated $180 million worth of crops in those states.

The infestation has caught many farmers by surprise. "I've been farming for 45 years and I've never seen anything like this," said Randy Ziegler, who farms 5,000 acres near Hays, Kansas.

Governments have responded with aid to the farmers, but it may not be enough. The United Nations has said that $135 million is needed to help prevent a famine in the region.

What makes this infestation particularly worrying is that locusts are typically found in Africa and the Middle East. This is only the third time in more than a century that they have reached North America.

Millions of locusts blanket Iowa farmland

Farmers in Iowa are reporting that millions of locusts have blanketed their farmland, leaving them with little choice but to abandon their crops.

The locusts, which arrived earlier this month, are said to be in the worst swarm since 2003. Officials estimate that they will cause $10 million in damages.

Iowa is not the only state affected; the locusts have also been spotted in Illinois and Indiana. The insects are believed to be migrating north as the weather gets warmer.

Governor Kim Reynolds has issued a state of emergency, and farmers are seeking federal assistance. "This infestation will have a devastating impact on Iowa's economy if something isn't done soon," Reynolds said in a statement.

So far, no one has been able to come up with a solution to the problem. As the locusts continue to spread, more and more farmers stand to lose their crops—and their livelihoods.

Farmer's worst nightmare: locust invasion leaves crops decimated

A locust invasion that swept parts of the Ethiopian highlands has destroyed farmers' crops, leaving them in dire straits.

According to local farmers, the invasion began in March and has since affected a vast area including the districts of Amhara, Tigray and Oromia.

They said the locusts have destroyed all their crops, leaving them with no source of food or income.

"We have lost all our crops to the locusts. What is left is just a wasteland," said Teshome Worku, a farmer from Gondar special zone. Worku said he used to produce enough food to feed his family and sell some in the market but now he will have to rely on assistance from relatives and friends.

In many areas, locals are reported to be living on what little they could salvage from their farms before the locusts arrived. "The situation is very bad. We are barely surviving on wild fruits and vegetables," said Fikru Bekele, a resident of Adaba district in Amhara region.

Government officials acknowledged the seriousness of the situation but said they were doing their best to contain the outbreak. "The extent of damage caused by these pests is vast and there is an urgent need for humanitarian assistance," said Docho Eshete, head of crop protection at the Agricultural Research Institute (ARI).

Eshete said ARI had deployed teams across affected areas to carry out emergency assessments and provide farmers with necessary pesticides and other support. The Ethiopian government has also appealed for international assistance to deal with the looming crisis.

Bugging out! Locust swarm spreads across the U.S.5. National Geographic discusses how to survive a locust plague

Insect pests are nothing new to the United States, but the locust swarm currently spreading across the country has farmers and homeowners alike on edge. National Geographic magazine has some tips on how to survive a locust plague.

The first step is to keep an eye on the news and heed any warnings about where the swarm may head next. If you live in an area that's been hit by a swarm, be sure to close up all of your windows and doors to keep the bugs out, and keep your property mowed and tidy so they have nowhere to hide.

Bug spray is your friend! Make sure you have plenty of it on hand, and use it liberally. National Geographic recommends wearing long sleeves and pants if possible, and avoiding brightly colored clothing since locusts are drawn to contrasts. If you're outside and a swarm approaches, try to make yourself as small as possible by crouching down or even lying flat on the ground.

If you're unlucky enough to be caught in a swarm, don't panic! Try to stay calm and move slowly so you don't attract more of them. Once you've escaped the immediate area, continue fleeing in a straight line – locusts aren't very good at flying in windy conditions. And finally, remember that these little critters can only survive for a few days without food – so once they've passed through your area, rejoice and get back to work in your garden!