A horrifying scene reminiscent of a horror movie unfolded in the western United States, as Elko, a city in Nevada, has been overrun by millions of locusts since the beginning of the week.

The insects have covered roads and homes, causing panic among local residents, according to CNN. Videos showcasing this massive invasion quickly circulated on social media, garnering a significant number of views.

In the United States, millions of locusts invade the town of Elko (video)

The responsible insects are known as “Mormon crickets,” named after the fields they devastated nearly two centuries ago in a Mormon territory located in Utah.

These insects lay their eggs in July to hatch in the spring before their annual large-scale migration. However, this year is exceptional as they emerged late, starting their migration only in mid-April, as explained by Jeff Knight, an entomologist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in various local media outlets.

In the United States, millions of locusts invade the town of Elko (video)

The invasion spares no one, as even the main hall of a local hospital was infested, prompting occupants to use various tools such as brooms or snowplows to clear a path through these crawling pests, which made every step slippery when attempting to walk on them.

These crickets also cause significant agricultural damage, estimated to be up to 25 million euros between 2001 and 2003, according to USA Today. Unfortunately, this phenomenon of migration and invasion shows no signs of stopping, fueled by climate change.

🦗 Millions of Mormon crickets descended upon six counties in Nevada, creating a bug invested nightmare for many residents. pic.twitter.com/nSYKzfi3Sj

— AccuWeather (@accuweather) June 12, 2023