Agricultural authorities have launched emergency pest control measures following a mass outbreak of migratory locusts in the reclaimed land of Goheung Bay, South Jeolla Province, where rice and forage crops are cultivated.

According to the Rural Development Administration and the Jeollanam-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services on Friday (June 26), the estimated area affected by the locusts is approximately 100 hectares, which accounts for 7% of the total crop cultivation area (1,397 hectares) in the Goheung Bay reclaimed land.

The Rural Development Administration attributes the outbreak to high temperatures and frequent rainfall throughout May and June of this year, which increased soil moisture and created favorable conditions for the locusts to lay eggs and hatch.

Often referred to as "unwelcome guests of the fields," migratory locusts typically inhabit grasslands or hillsides, appearing in green or brown. However, when their population density increases, they transform into a "gregarious phase"—characterized by a mix of black and brown colors—and begin to devour crops in reclaimed lands and near rivers.

In August 2014, a massive outbreak of young locusts (nymphs) occurred in Sani-myeon, Haenam-gun, South Jeolla Province, damaging 20 hectares of farmland. Last June, nymphs also appeared across 100 hectares of farmland in Goheung-eup, Goheung-gun.

The Goheung-gun Agricultural Technology Center stated that it is currently focusing all efforts on reducing the locust population in the Goheung Bay reclaimed land and preventing them from spreading to other farmlands.

Chae Ui-seok, head of the Disaster Response Division at the Rural Development Administration, said, "We are strengthening containment measures to prevent the spread of sudden pests such as migratory locusts," adding, "We will prevent crop damage through field-centered monitoring and joint pest control efforts."

(Photo: Yonhap News)