The desert locust (
Schistocerca gregaria) is the world's most destructive insect. Living in the deserts of the Middle East, Africa, and western Asia, the locust becomes destructive when gathered into swarms. As many as 250 billion locusts flying together have been known to cover 2,000 square miles, blocking sunlight and making travel hazardous. The migrating plagues of crop-destroying locusts are not predictable. Sometimes several years pass without the sighting of a migrating swarm; when established, a plague may last 2 to 10 years.
In many countries, locusts are captured with nets and then cooked and eaten. Here is one locust recipe from Cambodia: Collect a couple dozen desert locusts, preferably female. Slit them lengthwise on the abdomen. Stuff each one with a single peanut. Lightly grill them in a wok or a frying pan with a little oil and salt.
