Massive swarms of locusts invade northwestern South Africa

Massive swarms of locusts have been recorded in South Africa this month.

This clip shows millions of the insects swarming outside the town of Upington in the Northern Cape province on April 22.

Massive swarms of locusts have been recorded in South Africa this month.

This clip shows millions of the insects swarming outside the town of Upington in the Northern Cape province on April 22.

"There have been many car crashes this year in South Africa mainly due to the big swarms of locusts crossing the main roads," said the filmer Anchia Van Zyl Harmse.

"This is the largest swarm of locusts I have ever seen in my life," she said.

Swarms of desert locusts have plagued many African countries since last year.

The insects have had a devastating impact on crops in Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia.

A locust swarm one square kilometre in size can eat the same amount of food in a day as 35,000 people, according to the United Nations.