Bolivia has started chemical spraying in its eastern grain region to fight a plague of locusts which is endangering thousands of hectares of crops.
The locusts were first reported in January and have already taken over 1, 000 hectares in the province of Santa Cruz.
Bolivian President Evo Morales said it was the first time his country had seen locusts.
Neighbouring Argentina has suffered with them since the 1920s.
The government has set up a new unit to deal with the challenge and has asked the Argentine government to provide expertise and advice.
The government and local farmers in Santa Cruz say they plan to fumigate up to 17, 000 hectares to prevent the locusts from spreading and endangering the food supply.