Photo: Facebook | Steve Tshwete Local Municipality
However, according to Dr Gerhard Verdoorn, operations and stewardship manager at CropLife South Africa, there was no need for farmers to be concerned.
Verdoorn told Farmer’s Weekly that the surge in insect populations across the country, including those of caterpillars and cutworms, was linked to the recent heavy rain.
“There has been an increase in insect populations in different parts of the country because of the recent rain we’ve been having. I’m not surprised by the large number of longhorn grasshoppers in the Emalahleni area; however, it currently has no negative impact on crops,” Verdoorn said.
“The longhorn grasshopper does not prey on crops. It only feeds on grasses. In fact, its large spread is a good sign because it helps restore balance in nature following the rapid grass growth from the rain,” he explained.
Cutworms were a far more pressing concern for farmers, he said.
“Cutworms have affected cabbage crops across the country, but fortunately, farmers have managed to bring the situation under control by implementing recommended measures,” he said.
The recent African armyworm outbreaks have also been contained, Verdoorn said.
