These images show swarms of locusts invading the skies above the Mexican city of Merida.

The footage shows huge numbers of the insects swarming the city.

Reports said the sky appeared semi-darkened as a result, with the insects affecting a number of areas in the city, including the Faculty of Chemistry, a park and a number of neighbourhoods.

The incident led Mexican media to ask whether it was a sign that the world was coming to an end.

They also quoted the Book of Revelation 9:3, which reads: “And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.

“And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.”

The verse describes demonic locusts released by Satan from the bottomless pit. The Book of Revelation is generally understood to be a prophecy about the Apocalypse.

But the local authorities said that the insects were just a “remnant” of locusts from the interior of the state and that they should leave in a couple of days.

They have nonetheless activated a monitoring and extermination plan, according to reports, to bring the situation under control.