Explosive, ‘truly biblical’ swarms of cannibalistic insects ravage crops out West

They resemble fat grasshoppers and the extreme heat and drought conditions only increase their vast numbers, leaving ranchers and farmers to battle the insurgent mess.

By Allison Finch, AccuWeather staff writer

On top of a worsening drought and rising temperatures, farmers across the Western third of the United States are battling outbreaks of cannibalistic insects that are ravaging crops from Nevada to Montana. Officials have spent millions of dollars over the past few years trying to control the explosive swarms of Mormon crickets that are responsible for destroying swatches of crops from Nevada to Montana.

Native to North America, Mormon crickets got their name in the 1800s when these giant insects ruined the fields of Mormon settlers. These insects are not true crickets; they are actually shield-backed, short-winged katydids that resemble fat grasshoppers that cannot fly, according to the University of Nevada, Reno’s College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources.

In recent years, outbreaks across the West have only worsened, and the climate crisis might be partially to blame. The insect, which can grow up to 2 inches in length, favors hot conditions and drought, The Associated Press reported.

“Although there are local and regional exceptions, in general, the Western U.S. drought has intensified since the beginning of 2020,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Dave Houk said. “Most of central Oregon is currently in an extreme drought.”………More Here

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