They grow aggressively, producing dense thickets that choke out native plants and alter ecosystems. One of the most telling signs of a black locust's invasive streak is its suckering root system.

Climate change is expected to drive more frequent desert locust swarms, by causing trigger events like cyclones and intense rainfall. These bring moisture to desert regions that allows plants to ...

But the locusts eat up all the green vegetation, leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds and plants," Mr Gurjar said. An average small locust swarm can eat as much food in a day as about 35,000 people.