San Luis Potosí implements controls to contain locust plague

Authorities in San Luis Potosí are implementing sanitary protocols to contain a Central American locust plague that has moved from the Huasteca region into the Zona Media. The Secretaría de Desarrollo Agropecuario y Recursos Hidráulicos (Sedarh) has deployed four specialized brigades to monitor and control the insects across approximately 700 hectares, specifically targeting areas such as the Pinihuan canyon in Tamasopo and Los Guayabitos in Santa Catarina.

Control measures include the use of drones and spray pumps to provide localized intervention. While a sanitary cordon between Rayón, Lagunillas, and San Ciro de Acosta has helped prevent the pests from reaching the agricultural valleys of Rioverde and Ciudad Fernández, officials remain concerned about the long-term impact. There is significant worry regarding locust eggs, which can remain buried in the soil for years and hatch when weather conditions become favorable.

Agricultural damage has been reported in small plots, particularly involving corn crops in Santa Catarina that were already stressed by water shortages. Officials are urging farmers and rural residents to report sightings of small insects before they are able to fly, as early intervention is critical to preventing further dispersal.