Last month about 800 million locusts were sighted on their way to Saudi Arabia and officials are bracing to deal with the invasion.
The first quarter of the year is believed to be the locust season, when they attack fields in large swarms. They feed on leaves, buds, flowers and seeds, thereby, destroying vegetation.
However, local citizens believe the insects have medicinal properties and can cure several illnesses. One of the favourite locust dishes is savouring them as nuts…the insects are first boiled and dried in the sun for a few days until they turn crisp. A dash of salt and they are ready to be enjoyed.
But authorities have been cautioning citizens to not indulge in locusts as they can be poisonous because they feed on plants sprayed by pesticides,
The process of boiling them only increases the poisonous elements in them, say experts. The ministry of agriculture in Gulf countries has urged people to report any locust swarms.
