Blagoevgrad Region Fights the Invasion of Moroccan Locusts

The Bulgarian authorities have taken urgent actions to deal with the invasion of Moroccan locusts in the Blagoevgrad region. So far, the pests have attacked meadows, pastures and fallow lands, but areas with agricultural crops have not been affected. Spraying against the Moroccan locust began on May 20 and will continue until June 30, using authorized plant protection products.

The treatment of the affected areas will be carried out while observing all necessary measures to protect the health of people, animals, including bees and aquatic organisms. Last year, two helicopters carried out large-scale spraying against the pests in Sandanski and Petrich. The cycle of Moroccan locust invasion in Bulgaria is once every 10 years.

The Moroccan locust (Dociostaurus maroccanus) is found throughout the country and finds favorable conditions for laying its eggs and developing on fallow lands, meadows, pastures and others. It attacks almost all cultivated plants, preferring herbaceous vegetation. At high density, it is capable of destroying the vegetation over large areas and sometimes fly up to 50 km per day, moving in swarms that can reach several kilometers in length and width.