What is happening in the Canary Islands?

Swarms of locusts have descended upon four Spanish Canary Islands, prompting officials to issue a 'stay calm' message.

Are the locusts dangerous to people in the Canary Islands?

Officials state that the giant insects pose no immediate danger to the public.

Where did the locusts in the Canary Islands come from?

The locusts are believed to have blown in from Western Sahara following recent warm, wet weather.

Home / Environment / Canary Islands Locusts: 'Stay Calm' Amidst Swarms

Canary Islands Locusts: 'Stay Calm' Amidst Swarms

25 Feb

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Summary

Locust swarms have appeared in four Spanish Canary Islands.
The insects pose no immediate danger but could threaten crops.
Locusts are believed to have blown in from Western Sahara.

Holiday hotspots in the Canary Islands, including Lanzarote, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and Fuerteventura, are currently experiencing swarms of locusts. Officials have issued a 'stay calm' message, reassuring the public that the insects pose no direct danger. However, there is a significant concern that these locusts could threaten vital crops if their numbers increase substantially, recalling a severe plague experienced 20 years prior.

The locusts, identified as Barbary cigarrón (Schistocerca gregaria), are believed to have arrived from Western Sahara, facilitated by recent warm and wet weather conditions. Videos circulating on social media depict hundreds of these insects swirling across the countryside. Historically, these locusts have arrived from the African continent via easterly or south-easterly winds, often carrying Saharan dust.