Swarms of locusts descend on Negev

Millions of ravenous insects land in southern Israel; Agriculture Ministry begins spraying insecticides
Ilana Curiel|
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Several swarms of locusts descended on Israel on Tuesday and Wednesday, traveling from Egypt .
The large grasshoppers, which can consume entire acres of crops within hours, have been spotted in the Negev area, sparking concerns among farmers.
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At least one Ramat Negev potato field was severely damage.
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(צילום: הרצל יוסף)
Nitzana Highway (Photo: Herzl Yosef)
The Agriculture Ministry ,which has been on a "locust alert," announced it would begin spraying insecticides in the areas suffering from the infestation.
The ministry's small fleet of crop dusters was launched at first light Wednesday to spray the millions of locusts that have landed in the area.
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(צילום: AP)
The Negev (Photo: AP)
Simultaneously, trailed field sprayers will be deployed on the ground, to do the same.
Israel, along with the entire region, was placed on a "locust alert" by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in January.
The ministry has set up a special hotline for farmers that may find an infestation. It urged the public not to be alarmed by individual, sporadic sightings of the large grasshopper in urban areas.
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