WhyNot?

Locust plagues

Category: Environment
Responses: 6 (6 in support, 0 neutral, 0 in opposition)
Number of views: 480
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Africa is currently undergoing a rise in locust plagues which threaten starvation in many areas. The locusts represent a large source of protein but not much has been done in developing harvesting methods. Perhaps a fleet of blimps equipped with suction devices in the manner of vacuum cleaners could sweep through locust swarms decreasing their numbers to less threatening potentials and also providing a source of protein which could be processd into animal food or, if suitably refined, might even be usable for human consumption. The insects have food value as they had been used in China for these purposes but people in general are not attracted to consuming arthropods outside of shrimp or lobsters. If the product proves marketable it would be a real motive for these harvests.

sand, May 22 2004

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Comments from other members:

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Where they are swarming, locusts are all over the ground. They could be harvested by low-tech methods such as mosquito netting. What people will eat is a matter of custom. People would never eat calf testicles, but they will eat calf fries. I say deep fry them, call them hop fries, and market them under the claim "Real men eat hop fries." They will be great after a couple of beers.

sevans, Sep 19 2004

I'm a locust expert, and posted many ideas about the issue on the Halfbakery.

The idea of using locusts as protein for animal fodder has been studied by the world's biggest locust agencies (FAO's Desert Locust Service, Eurasian services, Australian services).

Economically, the idea only makes sense if there is a plague (which is once every 15 years or so), and if there's plenty of cheap labor around (only in North-Western Africa).

Forget the blimps. Think more of nets, and converted snowblowers.

The basic idea is not new, but you can't build a business on it.

Please check the many ideas on locusts at the Halfbakery. :-)

shona, Sep 22 2004

Or we could shoot rockets at the moon, which will either a) break up into a cloud around the earth and blot out all sunlight, therefore killing the locusts (along with all life) or b) spiral into the planet with sufficient force and, given that we include nanobots to steer the pieces wherever we want, enough maneuverability to pinpoint destroy the plagues.In other words, OVERKILL.but good intentions..

sykoze, Feb 03 2005