Swarms of locusts found in Beijing in recent days won't damage the environment and are no cause for alarm, Ministry of Agriculture experts say.

The locusts, found in great numbers in Beijing's East, West, Haidian and Shijingshan districts, are a native breed that is less harmful than the potentially disastrous oriental migratory locusts, the experts say.

The locusts may have come from wet vegetation in the capital's suburban areas.

Experts ruled out the possibility that the locusts came from neighboring Tianjin and Hebei, where an outbreak had been brought under control.

Locusts are not new to Beijing, but they have not been seen in such density for many years.

The experts said the numbers were probably a result of the recent hot weather after a spell of rainy weather.

Such conditions were very favorable for locusts to reproduce.

The experts assured citizens that locust control was routine work for the ministry which was fully capable of preventing a serious locust problem.

Though Beijingers don't need to fear locusts, the insects should watch out since Beijingers, like people in many Chinese regions, have an appetite for fried locusts.

At a construction site, a cook who called himself Duan, had caught two bags of locusts. "The workers will have a rare treat for supper," he said.

The Chinese tradition of eating locusts dates back to at least the Tang Dynasty (618-917 AD).

"Locusts are a good food. They have a high protein content and the taste is not bad," said entomologist Wu Jichuan.

However the insect could cause an allergic reaction in some people.

"One of my customers was once sent to the hospital after eating locusts. The anaphylaxis caused a stroke," said a restaurant boss.

(Xinhua News Agency July 17, 2002)