Cyprus planes to destroy locusts

By Tabitha Morgan
BBC News, Cyprus

Entire potato crops are threatened by swarms of locusts

A massive aerial spraying campaign has begun in Cyprus to deal with a menacing locust invasion.

Swarms of the rare desert locust began arriving on the island at the weekend, threatening entire potato crops.

The use of aircraft in eradication programmes was banned several years ago on health grounds.

Warm weather in the eastern Mediterranean has been blamed for the arrival of the insects from Africa.

The first locusts were spotted in the far west of the island early this week.

Locust cloud

A limited spraying operation appeared to have brought the situation under control.

But on Wednesday, a third and larger swarm arrived in the same area west of Paphos.

Farmers feared the locusts would devour the season's potato crops.

After lengthy discussions, the agriculture ministry has resolved to using aircraft to extend the eradication.

Officials said they took the decision reluctantly but faced with the size of the locust cloud and how fast it was moving, they had no choice.

It is the first time since World War II that swarms of desert locusts have been sighted in Cyprus, experts say.

A century ago, locusts were a major hazard to the island's crops. Then, the authorities only had nets to catch and exterminate them.