Locust Cloud Could Reach Rio Grande do Sul State on Wednesday, Experts Say

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The locust cloud in the province of Corrientes, Argentina, could reach Rio Grande do Sul next Wednesday, July 22nd, according to experts from the state’s Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development.

The insects’ migratory movement was driven by the heat wave that affected the region last weekend. By Monday morning, the cloud was estimated to be anywhere between 120 km and 130 km from the Brazilian border – the Rio Grande do Sul municipality of Barra do Quaraí.

The hot and dry weather, favoring the insects’ movement, should persist in the region until next Thursday. In a statement, the Rio Grande do Sul Secretary of Agriculture reports that it has stepped up monitoring activities on the potential arrival of the cloud in the state. “With this climatic condition, we need to be prepared,” said Ricardo Felicetti, head of the portfolio’s Plant Health Defense Division.

He further said that the Secretariat is apprehensive, but prepared with an emergency operational plan in case of a potential swarm in the state. The possible arrival of the insects could affect the area dedicated to winter crops and pasture.

Argentina’s National Agrifood Health and Quality Service (SENASA) reported that the locust cloud still present in the country is located in the province of Corrientes. Despite its slower movement, SENASA does not rule out the prospect of a new displacement of the insects, due to the temperature rise in the region since Sunday. In a possible new flight, the insects could move to the province of Entre Ríos – bordering Brazil.

According to the SENASA survey, the area covered by locusts consists of a perimeter of 2.7 kilometers on 36 hectares. It is estimated that the cloud comprises 400 million insects. In its most recent statement, published on Saturday, July 18th, the Department reported that Argentine government experts applied insecticides to the cloud once more.

Producers from Rio Grande do Sul are also monitoring the displacement of yet another cloud of insects in Paraguay. The cloud is located in the north of the country, some 300 kilometers from Argentina, according to SENASA. Experts from Paraguay’s National Plant Health and Safety Service (SENAVE) are attempting to locate the insects for the application of chemicals.