ABSTRACT
148Humans have long felt an obsession to rid their environment of pests. They are devastating to crops and food supplies, and life is basically more enjoyable without them. Indeed, the Old Testament makes several references to widespread destruction of crops in early Egypt by insects, especially locusts. Historical records confirm that insects have been a problem throughout the ages. Even with powerfully effective insecticides, locusts and other insects still damage food supplies in the Near East, Africa, and other parts of the world.
