Crickets invade ancient Christian town in Iraq

NINEVEH, Iraq - A predominantly Christian town in northern Iraq has recently come under a cricket attack. Locals say they are fed up with the phenomenon, calling on authorities to resolve it. 

"If you kill a thousand, they will be replaced by another two thousand. They stink and they enter our homes, including our bedrooms and kitchen. And we have no other place to go. If you visit our home, you will see that it looks like a jungle. The same is true for our shop over there. They spread a bad smell, too,” Zardasht Khatari, a resident of Alqosh town, told Rudaw.

This invasion has caused property damage, agricultural losses, environmental issues, foul odors, and the spread of diseases.

Hundreds of Sami Uraha’s olive trees have been infected by the invasion. 

“I have never seen this in my life. It is the first time such insects have arrived here. All of our trees have been affected by the swarm of insects. We did not experience this last year or two years ago,” said the farmer. 

Local authorities are in touch with officials and entomologists from the nearby town of Semel in Duhok province to bring an end to the phenomenon.

Seriyan Saffar, Director of Alqosh agriculture directorate, said they have requested an investigation into the issue and called on the nearby town of Semel in Kurdistan Region’s Duhok province to help, adding that they have taken precautions to prevent the issue for the next year. 

“We believe the outbreak is the result of climate change because we could not find this in the guidebook. Apparently, it’s the first time we've experienced such an outbreak,” he said. 

Field crickets and similar insects lay eggs in the summer, which lie dormant in the winter and then hatch in the spring. 

However, Saffar says the hatchlings have been delayed due to climate change.

Rekar Aziz contributed to this article.