Noticed more grasshoppers in Joburg lately? An expert breaks down why

947’s Anele and the Club interview a locust expert from the ARC Plant Health and Protection Institute, Dr Roger Price.

Listen below:

People who frequent Fourways say it is being swarmed by grasshoppers.

The good news is they are harmless and their increased presence is due to the weather. 

“It’s just the good rains and a good population boom with a lot of insects. This time of year, the grasshoppers are coming onto their wings and they start to fly.”

– Dr Roger Price

“These are long-horned grasshoppers… they like the warm front pushed in by storms and are attracted to light.”

– Dr Roger Price

As we move into colder weather, the insects will lay eggs in the soil and die out as winter kicks in.

The next generation will come in at the start of summer.

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the discussion.