Peru

Peruvians Fear Locusts Are a Curse
Discovery Earth Alert, March 9, 2000

Residents of a farming town in Peru blame the attacks by hordes of locusts on "divine intervention." Locusts descended on the region several days ago and began devouring crops. The insects have torn through almost two thousand acres of corn, mangoes, yucca, and passion fruit. The area of Salas is known throughout the country as a haven for faith healers. One of the town's healers said, "This is God's punishment. This area is the cradle of faith healing and witchcraft and perhaps that angered the Lord." Mario Failot, the mayor of Salas, said that El Nino had "triggered the presence of these insects, which reproduce easily in fertile land and humid temperatures." A local radio announcer reported, "The locusts formed a horrifying red carpet over an area of about one kilometer (half a mile). If this situation continues, more than 5,000 families who depend on farming will be left without food."

Peru Military Deployed to Help Control Locust Swarms
Associated Press, June 22, 2000

Military helicopters with fumigation equipment and soldiers with flame-throwers have been deployed to Peru's northern Andes to join a two-month battle against swarms of locusts that have ravaged 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres) of forests, grassland and crops. The Agriculture Ministry declared a state of emergency Tuesday after it became evident that farmers in the northern regions of Lambayeque and Cajamarca were unable to contain the insects. The ministry said locusts have darkened the skies in dense swarms measuring as large as 5-by-10 kilometers (3-by-6 miles). Agriculture officials said Wednesday that about 200 hectares (494 acres) of corn, beans and yucca have been destroyed. Leading newspaper El Comercio reported lost crop estimates at more than 600,000 soles (dlrs 172,000). Authorities attributed the surge in the locust population to unusual vegetation growth after heavy rains from the El Nino weather phenomenon two years ago. Locust swarms have also damaged crops in parts of the central and southern Andes, including about 50 hectares (124 acres) of corn near the Inca capital Cuzco, 545 kilometers (350 miles) southeast of Lima.