Experts demystify raging issues on Locust invasion

enekesa — Wed, 19 Feb 2020 12:50:40 +0000

“Yellow colour is an indication of maturity but not dying locust. However, at the later age the yellow colouring becomes very bright and the locusts will start copulating and laying eggs and at this stage we can say that they are dying. And unless one is following a swarm from the immature stage up to maturity no one can tell when the first egg laying has occurred, ” corrected Dr. George Ong’amo, an entomologist from 91��.

Speaking to the Corporate Affairs team, 91��, Dr. Ong’amo clarified, “The length of maturity depends on how well the immature stage fed and the weather conditions. If they are well fed the length of maturation is 2-4 weeks. After this, copulation will start and the female lay eggs 3 times at interval of 7-10 days. Therefore, depending on weather conditions, the life span of the mature stage is 35-50 days.”

At the same time, mature stage is not a feeding stage. They just move from one location to another to assess suitable breeding ground with little feeding for survival but not to accumulate energy. Therefore, they are not voracious like the immature ones and they don’t cause much harm to vegetation.

At mature stage, one swarm doesn't move together but it splits into several swarmlets; flying to different locations and this is what we are observing currently and receiving several reports of swarms from different corners.

“Exposed eggs are doomed! He called on all the counties experiencing the invasion to assist in exposing where the locusts lay eggs so that they can be sprayed,” he concluded.

Dr. George Ong’amo explained that grasshoppers also band but unlike desert locust they do not swarm and are not destructive.

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Experts monitor the state of Locust Invasion

enekesa — Wed, 05 Feb 2020 11:01:42 +0000

Entomological Society of Kenya coordinated by 91��'s don Dr. George Ong'amo Otieno continue to monitor the state of locust invasion in Kenya. Dr. Ong’amo noted that the locust invasion is not necessarily confined to arid and semi-arid areas as is the habit of locusts but could likely spread to the whole country. They attributed the spread to the cyclones, the young age of the locust and the fast rate of breeding. At the moment they’re moving north towards Turkana County, Southern Sudan and North-eastern Uganda.

“It was assumed that the locust would be here for a short while. However, the rate at which they are breeding is alarming. The change in climate patterns has also aggravated the situation. "

The chemical aerial spray that is being administered is not effective. Prof. John Nderitu, 91��’s Proffesor of Agriculture recommended an integrated Pest Management that includes biological, mechanical and chemical control. The University researchers are in the field collecting samples of the locust for laboratory analysis.

Prof. Nderitu further suggested to the government to send teams with nets attached to aircrafts to capture the locusts and give them to animal food manufacturers to produce animal feed and added that locusts are very nutritious.

The experts said that the locusts came from Yemen to Ethiopia then down to Kenya following the heavy rainfall that the country experienced late last year.

VIDEO: Experts Give Views : a. Dr. George Ongamo b. Prof. Jacques Kabaru

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91���� - Locust invasion

Experts demystify raging issues on Locust invasion

Experts monitor the state of Locust Invasion

91�� - Locust invasion