Eastern Iran hit with plague of Moroccan locusts

The Moroccan locust is considered one of the most serious pests affecting cultivated plants.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Eastern Iran is facing a growing agricultural crisis as swarms of Moroccan locusts are damaging crops and grazing land, threatening harvests and adding pressure to communities already affected by drought and economic difficulties.

The outbreak has spread across farming areas in eastern Iran, where the insects are consuming cultivated fields and pastureland relied upon by rural households.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the Moroccan locust (Dociostaurus maroccanus) is considered one of the most serious pests affecting cultivated plants.

The species feeds on a range of agricultural products and vegetation, including grain crops, date palms, citrus trees and rangeland plants.

The infestation has hit subsistence farming communities particularly hard, with reports indicating that up to half of some local harvests are at risk.

The damage comes as many parts of eastern Iran continue to struggle with prolonged drought conditions, creating additional challenges for farmers dependent on already limited agricultural resources.

Officials and experts cited in the reports said the locust outbreak poses a significant threat to livelihoods across affected areas, placing further strain on vulnerable rural communities.

Medical authorities have stated that the insects do not present a direct health risk to humans. However, concerns remain focused on the economic impact of crop losses and the potential effect on food production.

The current outbreak is occurring against a backdrop of years of drought and chronic underinvestment in agricultural infrastructure, conditions that have increased pressure on farming communities in the region.

Experts working in affected areas warned that without rapid intervention by government authorities or international organizations, some communities could face severe economic consequences.

They also cautioned that the continuing spread of the locusts could contribute to food security concerns in vulnerable regions.

Southern and eastern provinces of Iran have experienced similar infestations in the past, with locust swarms periodically affecting agricultural production and grazing land.

The latest outbreak has renewed concerns about the resilience of rural communities as farmers attempt to protect crops and livestock feed from one of the region’s most destructive agricultural pests.