Grasshoppers not only in Middelburg
Thousands of Long-horned Grasshoppers have been observed across Mpumalanga and Limpopo.
The local infestation of grasshoppers in Middelburg has sparked widescale reaction from readers after thousands of the insects were observed all over town in the weekend.
According to the response from readers on an article published yesterday by the Middelburg Observer, the grasshoppers are affecting a large part of Mpumalanga and Limpopo.
The Middelburg Observer became aware of the infestation on Sunday, with many messages and videos received of infestations in Kanonkop, the Middelburg CBD and Middelburg South.
Strangely enough, the grasshoppers seem to be attracted to filling stations, with sightings of hundreds of the creepy crawlies at three different filling stations.
The Steve Tshwete Local Municipality issued a statement yesterday saying that they are aware of the infestation and are addressing it.
STLM confirmed that parts of Aerorand, Kanonkop, Rondebosch, and the Middelburg CBD are affected and that the municipality will be spraying insecticide to control the population.
Readers, meanwhile, have reported that the infestation has been seen as far as Arnot, Hendrina, Belfast, Groblersdal, eMalahleni, Modimolle, Mookgophong and Bela Bela.
The Middelburg Observer interviewed well-known toxicologist Dr Gerhard Verdoorn for more information on the grasshoppers, which have since been identified as the Long-horned Grasshopper.
More can be read in this week’s Middelburg Observer.
@middelburgobserver Thousands of Long-horned Grasshoppers descend on Middelburg.
