The statistic characters and analysis of the locust disaster in northern Shanxi Province during the Ming and Qing Dynasty

Based on the historical records,the statistics characters of the locust disaster and its relation with the other disasters in Northern Shanxi Province during the Ming and Qing Dynasty were analyzed.The results showed that in this area,the distribution of the locust disaster presented imbalance,and during the Ming and Qing Dynasty,the locust disaster occurred more frequently in 1340～1359,1520～1539,1560～1579,1640～1659,1820～1839,especially after 1520.And there were no locust disaster record in 1380～1520 in this area.It seemed that most locust disaster occurred in Spring and Autumn(May～July of lunar calendar),and sometimes appeared continuously.In northern Shanxi Province,the locust disaster mainly occurred in Datong state,Baode state,Dingxiang county and Wutai county etc.area.We found that the frequency of locust disaster correlated negatively with drought,and often followed with famine,pestilence etc.disaster.Case studies emphasized the severe aftermath of locust disaster in this area.