Latest news with #ricecrops
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
You Won't Believe the Unexpected 'Pests' Destroying Rice Crops in Italy
You Won't Believe the Unexpected 'Pests' Destroying Rice Crops in Italy originally appeared on Parade. The next time you find yourself indulging in a delicious plate of risotto, consider this: you may have unknowingly fought a flamingo for it. In a plot twist no one could've seen coming—flamingos are causing extensive damage to rice crops in northeastern Italy as they scavenge for food of their own. But, interestingly, it isn't rice that they're after. 🍳 SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & fun food news in our daily Pop Kitchen newsletter 🍳 The Associated Press was the first to report that farmers in Italy's Ferrara province are not just coping with flooded rice fields, but the unexpected "pests" they attract. When we think of crop pests, we commonly think of rodents and insects, and maybe a few swooping birds looking for a bite, hence the need for scarecrows. But flamingos in the rice fields of Italy? It's safe to say 2025 is a mood. The flamingos don't have their sights set on the rice itself, but rather the water currently covering it. They're looking for what lives in the shallow water—namely mollusks, algae or insects. The foraging process is disrupting the soil and, in turn, the rice yes, flamingos can fly. In fact, according to the American Bird Conservancy, all six of the world's flamingo species can fly. And they can move as fast as a car on your average surface street, flying about 35 miles per hour during short trips and 40 miles per hour or more on long-distance excursions. The more you know. Currently the area's farmers are considering any and all solutions for how to restore the crops and send the flamingos elsewhere. In the AP's report, one farmer calculated that they had already lost nearly 90% of their plants. That's bad news for them and not the best news for risotto lovers, Won't Believe the Unexpected 'Pests' Destroying Rice Crops in Italy first appeared on Parade on Jul 11, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
Bloomberg
10-07-2025
- Climate
- Bloomberg
Life-Threatening Heat Domes Are Confounding Forecasters
Record-breaking temperatures seared the eastern US last month, leading to power emergencies across the region. The cause: an enormous ridge of high pressure that settled on the region, known as a heat dome. This phenomenon has also already struck Europe and China this summer, leading to the temporary closure of the Eiffel Tower and worries about wilting rice crops, respectively. But while heat domes are easy to identify once they strike, they remain difficult to forecast — a problematic prospect in a warming world.
Japan Times
10-07-2025
- Climate
- Japan Times
Pest outbreaks feared to affect rice harvests again
The agriculture ministry said Wednesday that it forecasts "frequent" outbreaks of stink bug varieties that cause issues with rice crops in many parts of the country. According to the ministry's pest outbreak alert, such stink bugs are expected to appear in Hokkaido, the southern part of the Tohoku region, the southern part of the Kanto region, the Hokuriku, Tokai and Chugoku regions. Last year, outbreaks of rice stink bugs, which prevent rice plants from bearing grains, were confirmed in 37 prefectures, leading to lower yields in some areas. Similar damage is feared this year. The ministry forecasts "somewhat frequent" outbreaks in northern Tohoku, the Kinki and Shikoku regions and the Kyushu region. The ministry urges farmers to take immediate action against the bugs, including exterminating them, as prolonged high temperatures may lead to more frequent occurrences or longer infestation periods. Stay updated on Japan's rice crisis. Quality journalism is more crucial than ever. Help us get the story right. For a limited time, we're offering a discounted subscription plan. Unlimited access US$30 US$18 /mo FOREVER subscribe NOW The prefectures of Yamagata, Saitama, Toyama, Ishikawa and Yamaguchi have already issued warnings about the pests. While concerns about rice stink bugs, which reduce yields, are especially strong, other stink bugs affect rice quality by causing black spots on grains.
