Nepal, June 10 -- On Tuesday, a picture of a very large grasshopper in Sankhamul posted to social media left many wondering if the locust swarm that has devastated parts of Asia, Africa and the Middle East was on its way to Nepal. More than a week ago, a similar insect had been sighted around Kathmandu's Bhotahity and there were anecdotal reports from Patan.

Government officials, however, have dismissed fears, saying there is no indication that locust swarms are headed in Nepal's direction, and that there is no need to worry.

Locusts are slightly larger than other grasshoppers in size, although they come from the same grasshopper family. They can be differentiated based on colour. Locusts, which are red, yellow or black during their sol...