The west China province of Xinjiang is to raise starlings in artificial nests to create an "air force" of birds to catch locusts, which destroy more than 3 million hectares of pasture every year, Xinhua said.

"Damage to pasture would fall by 70% if the squadrons were formed, saving 30 million yuan (US$4 million) in the first year," Li Jun, a local locust-control expert, was quoted as saying.

See full story