A gigantic swarm of grasshoppers engulfed a small town in California’s Central Valley over the past several days, according to reports.
The swarm invaded the town of Herald, located around 30 miles east of Sacramento, which only has a population of close to 1,180.
“They kinda freak me out … they jump on you … when you walk by. And you’re like, ‘What’s on me?!’ and then you shake your leg,” Hailena Gunter, a local resident, told Fox Radio.
Residents told the Los Angeles Times that the grasshoppers started appearing in early June.
“The roses on this side are about half-way gone,” said Denae Gunter, a local, told Los Angeles Times. “The hedges here are slowly going” to be eaten, she added.
Scientists with the University of California-Davis told Fox Radio they believe such a swarm is rare, but their theory is that the winter two years ago was wet, which led to a spike in grasshoppers hatching at the time. Last year’s winter was dry, making food scarce and forcing them to descend on the town.
The Epoch Times publishes in 35 countries and in 19 languages. Subscribe to our e-newsletter.
