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CNN Live Today

In Florida, Huge Grasshoppers Causing Lot of Concern

Aired August 23, 2002 - 10:24   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: In Florida, huge grasshoppers are causing a lot of concern, but bug experts say there is really an lot you can do about it. We have a report now from our CNN affiliate reporter Bill Cook of station WFOL.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BILL COOK, WFOL REPORTER (voice-over): Don't worry, it's only a grasshopper, but probably the biggest grasshopper you will ever see.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is an eastern lubber grasshopper.

COOK: Because they love rainy conditions, they are thriving this summer, and gobbling up gardens everywhere.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And they have got some jaws on them.

COOK: Charles Fadunick (ph) is an environmental horticulture agent for the Lake County extension. In other words, he knows a thing or two about plants and the insects that eat them. He says the lubber presents a unique challenge to homeowners, in that they are extremely resilient. Because of their horrible taste, nothing eats them, and pesticides literally bounce right off them.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And because of their size, it's hard for them to eat enough poison. Some people get little nets and net them. Other people may just pick them up and squash them, or you may take your trusty hedge shears and kind of prune them in half.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Now, that is not nice. That report coming from our affiliate WFOL.

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