• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • News
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Lifestyle
“They can destroy 192 million kg of vegetation in two days”; Facts about the locusts that have invaded Uganda

“They can destroy 192 million kg of vegetation in two days”; Facts about the locusts that have invaded Uganda

February 10, 2020
SPC on the run after gunning down police officer, crime preventer

British tourist collapses and dies at Masindi hotel

January 30, 2023
US acknowledges 2 civilians killed in 2018 Somalia airstrike

US announces top Al-Shabab commanders killed by Somali forces

January 30, 2023
EACOP says 203 physically displaced by pipeline

EACOP says 203 physically displaced by pipeline

January 30, 2023

‘Mutiny’ brewing at Finance ministry as commissioner refuses to retire, junior managers want him out

January 29, 2023
Do not shake hands; Coronvirus is real- Museveni tells Ugandans

When Museveni was poisoned

January 29, 2023
HR practitioners urged to invest in upskilling

HR practitioners urged to invest in upskilling

January 29, 2023
Burkina Faso celebrates news that the French are leaving

Burkina Faso celebrates news that the French are leaving

January 29, 2023
As FDC prepares to change leadership in parliament, Muntu-Amuriat rift rears ugly head

Big Interview: ANT’s Alaso, “We cannot afford to give up on Uganda because of Museveni”

January 29, 2023
KCCA councillors cars vandalised as they demand road infrastructure projects accountability 

KCCA councillors cars vandalised as they demand road infrastructure projects accountability 

January 29, 2023
Jubilation as Luzira inmates excel in PLE exams

Jubilation as Luzira inmates excel in PLE exams

January 28, 2023
Logo
  • News
    • Politics
    • Business
    • 2021 Elections Watch
      • The Election Podcast
    • Exclusive
    • Investigations
  • Education
  • Security
    • Cyber Security
  • Health
    • Coronavirus outbreak
  • Opinions
    • Columns
      • Parting Shot
      • Two Sides of a Coin
      • Bazanye’s Quick Shots
      • Mable Twegumye Zake’s #BitsOfMe&You
      • But this Year!
      • What Did I Miss?
  • Lifestyle
    • Hatmahz Kitchen
    • Food Hub
    • Let’s Talk About Sex
    • Entertainment
    • Tour & Travel
    • Love Therapist
    • Homes
  • Global
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • The Americas
  • East Africa
    • Kenya
    • Rwanda
    • Tanzania
    • South Sudan
    • DR Congo
    • Ethiopia
    • Sudan
  • Technology
  • Ask the Mechanic
  • Special Reports
    • Kabaka Mutebi’s 25th Coronation Series
    • Focus on Somalia
    • Sino-Africa
    • Uganda at 56
    • Anti-Corruption Fight
    • Age Limit Map
    • Tuve Ku Kaveera
  • Sports
    • Place-It
    • StarTimes Uganda Premier League
    • Bundesliga
    • World Cup
  • Jobs
No Result
View All Result
Logo
No Result
View All Result
Home News Featured

“They can destroy 192 million kg of vegetation in two days”; Facts about the locusts that have invaded Uganda

The invasion of desert locusts that have for long caused havoc in neighbouring Kenya has now been confirmed in Uganda.

Kenneth Kazibwe by Kenneth Kazibwe
February 10, 2020
in Featured, News
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0
“They can destroy 192 million kg of vegetation in two days”; Facts about the locusts that have invaded Uganda

Desert locusts (Photo by Christiaan Kooyman)

The invasion of desert locusts that have for long caused havoc in neighbouring Kenya has now been confirmed in Uganda.

“A swarm estimated to be about 3,000 has landed in Amudat this afternoon,” Moses Kizige, the State Minister for Karamoja told the Nile Post on Sunday.

Government has since said the UPDF has already assembled a team to assist the Ministry of Agriculture in ground spraying and that the team is on standby at Olilim barracks.

“The  OPM Disaster department has delivered to Olilim Barracks to facilitate the spray teams items including food (15 tons rice, 15 tons Maize flour) ; other logistics -( tents, sleeping mats, water containers, cooking , eating vessels among others,” Martin Owor said.

Below are some of the quick facts about the locusts;

AD-03 AD-03 AD-03
ADVERTISEMENT

The desert locust also known as Schistocerca gregaria is locally referred to as emaathe, enzige and is a short-horned grasshopper in the Acrididae family.

As the world’s most dangerous migratory pest species, the desert locust produces rapidly, migrates over long distances and has the ability to change behavior and appearance under particular environmental conditions.

The desert locust is herbivorous and can stay in one place for 17 hours and if strong enough, can range 3000 miles in their lifetime and an average of 50-300km per day.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation, the locusts can live for up to five months, depending on weather and local conditions.

They can lay eggs that can hatch after two weeks, with locusts maturing to adulthood in two to four months on average.

They can destroy about 192 million kilogrammes of vegetation in two days.

Locusts can multiply 10-20 times per generation and an adult female will lay up to 900 eggs in three months.

A swarm size of a square kilometre devours 100-160 tons of vegetation including crops and pasture per day.

An adult locust eats an amount approximately its weight of 2-3 grams per day.

Locust movement is determined by wind patterns and vegetation availability and primarily feeds on green vegetation.

These Locusts migrate in swarms of between 40 – 80 million insects whereas some swarms of a billion insects have also been reported.

Desert locusts cause massive destruction of green vegetation including crops and as such, famine would set in as precautionary measure store enough food.

What to do

Contact your nearest extension worker on advice on food storage facilities if you don’t have granaries in your home or neighborhood.

Report the presence of the swarms or hopper bands (millions of young ones – instars moving together) to local authorities. Government will then intervene with ground and aerial spraying for control in a relatively short time.

 

 

 

Tags: Desert Locustdesert locustsMartin OworOffice of the prime MinsterugandaUgandan NewsUPDF
ShareTweetSend
Previous Post

Rally: Over 30 crews register for season opener in Mbarara

Next Post

Did you know singer Rema is into farming too?

Kenneth Kazibwe

Kenneth Kazibwe

Related Posts

SPC on the run after gunning down police officer, crime preventer

British tourist collapses and dies at Masindi hotel

by Arafat Nzito
January 30, 2023
0

A British tourist identified as Katelia Khushid Banu (37) has collapsed and died in a hotel room while on a...

US acknowledges 2 civilians killed in 2018 Somalia airstrike

US announces top Al-Shabab commanders killed by Somali forces

by NP admin
January 30, 2023
0

The Somali government says it has killed more than 130 fighters from the Islamist militant group al-Shabab - including top...

EACOP says 203 physically displaced by pipeline

EACOP says 203 physically displaced by pipeline

by Kenneth Kazibwe
January 30, 2023
0

The East African Crude Oil pipeline Company (EACOP) Ltd has said only 203 persons will be physically displaced by the...

‘Mutiny’ brewing at Finance ministry as commissioner refuses to retire, junior managers want him out

by Victor Tayebwa
January 29, 2023
0

There is a brewing war in the Ministry of Finance as the current Commissioner Finance and Planning Godwin Kakama has...

Next Post
Did you know singer Rema is into farming too?

Did you know singer Rema is into farming too?

ADVERTISEMENT
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
DR Congo hopes Pope Francis visit will begin healing for war-torn country

Pope Francis says, “Homosexuality is not a crime” 

January 25, 2023
ROMANCE IN THE WRONG PLACE: Soldier arrested for accepting marriage proposal on duty

Woman ordered to refund shs10m after she refuses to marry man who paid her fees 

January 26, 2023
Museveni orders Muhoozi to stop ‘tweeting fwaa’

Sack me if you want, Muhoozi challenges Museveni

January 21, 2023
SPC on the run after gunning down police officer, crime preventer

British tourist collapses and dies at Masindi hotel

January 30, 2023
US acknowledges 2 civilians killed in 2018 Somalia airstrike

US announces top Al-Shabab commanders killed by Somali forces

January 30, 2023
EACOP says 203 physically displaced by pipeline

EACOP says 203 physically displaced by pipeline

January 30, 2023
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Careers
Call us: +256-417-720-101
Email: [email protected]

© 2020 Nile Post Uganda Ltd. - A Next Media Services Company.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Politics
    • Business
    • 2021 Elections Watch
      • The Election Podcast
    • Exclusive
    • Investigations
  • Education
  • Security
    • Cyber Security
  • Health
    • Coronavirus outbreak
  • Opinions
    • Columns
      • Parting Shot
      • Two Sides of a Coin
      • Bazanye’s Quick Shots
      • Mable Twegumye Zake’s #BitsOfMe&You
      • But this Year!
      • What Did I Miss?
  • Lifestyle
    • Hatmahz Kitchen
    • Food Hub
    • Let’s Talk About Sex
    • Entertainment
    • Tour & Travel
    • Love Therapist
    • Homes
  • Global
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • The Americas
  • East Africa
    • Kenya
    • Rwanda
    • Tanzania
    • South Sudan
    • DR Congo
    • Ethiopia
    • Sudan
  • Technology
  • Ask the Mechanic
  • Special Reports
    • Kabaka Mutebi’s 25th Coronation Series
    • Focus on Somalia
    • Sino-Africa
    • Uganda at 56
    • Anti-Corruption Fight
    • Age Limit Map
    • Tuve Ku Kaveera
  • Sports
    • Place-It
    • StarTimes Uganda Premier League
    • Bundesliga
    • World Cup
  • Jobs

© 2020 Nile Post Uganda Ltd. - A Next Media Services Company.

Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?