A new study on the use of insecticides to fight swarms of locusts in East Africa has revealed some promising results. The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa, found that the use of a particular type of insecticide was able to reduce locust populations by up to 90%.

The study focused on the use of an insecticide called Azadirachtin-A, which is derived from the neem tree, to fight swarms of locusts in East Africa. The researchers tested the insecticide on two species of locusts—the desert locust and the red locust—in laboratory experiments and in the field. The results showed that the insecticide was able to reduce the locust populations by up to 90%. In addition, the researchers found that the insecticide had no negative effects on the environment or other organisms.

This is great news for East Africa, where locust swarms have caused significant damage to crops and pastures. The research team is now working to improve the application of the insecticide so that it can be used more efficiently and effectively in the field.

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source: Phys.org