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Locust Attack terminologies
Why is it in News?
- FAO has warned India to remain on high alert against locust attack for next 4 weeks
- India is facing worst locust attack in last 26 years and current locust attack (2019-2020) has been categorized as an upsurge.
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- Desert Locusts are always present in the deserts between Mauritania and India.
- Good rains and good vegetation can increase their number rapidly and began to concentrate
- FAO has 3 categories of desert locust situations
(1) Outbreak
(a) When increase in number goes unchecked, it can lead to the formation of small groups of wingless hoppers and swarms winged adults
(b) Generally affects area of about 5,000 sq. km
(c) FAO website lists nine outbreaks: 2018, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006
(2) Upsurge
(a) Last major upsurge was in 2003-05
(b) If outbreaks goes unchecked and heavy rain in adjacent areas, successive breeding causes further hopper band and adult swarm formation
(c) FAO website records the upsurges of 2004-2005, 1996-1998, 1994-1996, 1992-1994, and 1972-1974
(3) Plague
(a) Last major plague was in 1987-89
(b) when an upsurge is not controlled and ecological conditions remain favourable for breeding, locust populations continue to increase in number and size
(c) it takes at least one year or more for a plague to develop through a sequence
(d) The area in which plagues occur covers about 29 million sq. km and can extend across 58 countries
(e) There have been six major plagues in the 1900s, one of which lasted almost 13 years