African Locusts Hit Tenerife Amid Dust Storm, Heatwave

African locusts have arrived in Tenerife, adding to the Canary Islands' current environmental challenges, which include thick dust and very hot weather. Local news reports confirm that these insects, blown over by strong winds from Africa, have been seen in places like Tacoronte, in northern Tenerife.

Authorities are worried about these locusts. They are known to form huge swarms and can cause serious damage to farms and grasslands if they settle. These insects are famous for travelling long distances.

This locust arrival comes at the same time as a very bad dust storm. Air quality is now "extremely unfavorable" in parts of Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, and southern Gran Canaria and Tenerife. Strong winds from the Sahara have brought a lot of dust, leading the Ministry of Territorial Policy, Territorial Cohesion, and Water to issue public health advice. This advice includes warnings about poor visibility, which can drop to 3,000 meters, and health dangers. People with breathing problems or long-term illnesses should be extra careful: keep windows and doors shut, and avoid exercise outside, as high levels of dust are expected in the next few days.

While it's not new for species from Africa to reach the Canary Islands, it usually happens during specific weather conditions, like long heatwaves and strong easterly winds. This situation highlights how fragile the Canary Islands' environment is to extreme weather. With the ongoing climate emergency, it's crucial to constantly check both air quality and how these insects might affect local plants, particularly in the mid-altitude areas of northern Tenerife, to stop further harm.