By Maheesha Mudugamuwa The yellow-spotted locust invasions are now being reported from multiple areas in the Southern Province, according to the Department of Agriculture. Farmers, meanwhile, claim that although there have not been any crop losses so far, the situation could change if it is not controlled. According to Southern Province Agriculture Director I.D. Gunawardena, the locust invasions are being reported from multiple areas in Matara and Beliatta in the Southern Province. He said that measures are being taken to control the spread of the locusts. The locust attack was first reported from Mawathagama in Kurunegala. Now, the attacks have also been reported from Mirigama and Mawanella areas, according to the Department. All Island Farmers Federation (AIFF) National Organiser Namal Karunaratne told The Morning that the new species found in Sri Lanka can be even worse than the “sena” caterpillar. However, there was no crop damage reported as yet, according to the AIFF. The Department of Agriculture has requested the farmers to be on high alert and to immediately contact the 1920 hotline if they notice unusual insects in their farmlands. Outbreaks of the insect attack have been reported from Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh in India. Last week, the Delhi Government issued an advisory to farmers to spray pesticides to keep a possible attack at bay. Meanwhile, experts have warned of huge crop losses if the swarms are not stopped by June when the monsoons will lead to a new season of sowing rice, sugarcane, cotton, and other crops.