Locusts attacked sunflower fields in Kherson region: special plant protection regime introduced
27 June 16:44
A massive spread of locusts that damaged sunflower crops has been recorded in the Borozenska community in the Kherson region. This was reported by the Main Directorate of the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection in the Kherson region, reports [Kommersant].
This is an outbreak of the Italian locust(Calliptamus italicus), a polyphagous pest that actively reproduces in conditions of heat and prolonged drought. It is these weather conditions that have led to the threatening situation in the region.
In response to the threat, a special plant protection regime was introduced in the Borozensky community. Measures are currently underway to localize and eradicate insect outbreaks that exceed the economic threshold of harmfulness.
Experts also provided a number of practical recommendations to farmers in Kherson, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia and Dnipro regions.
In particular
- inspect abandoned land, pastures, roadsides – preferably in the morning or evening, when locusts are less active;
- in case of detection of a large number of insects, use approved insecticides;
- notify local authorities and beekeepers before treatment, and spraying should be carried out only in the morning or evening and in the absence of wind.
Communities are urged to immediately notify the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection if new locust infestations are detected to prevent further spread of the pest.
