Virus Wiping Out Crickets Raised for Snakes

These are hard times for America's cricket farmers, and unless a virus is brought under control, they could become hungry times for pet snakes. The virus has swept through farms, killing millions of the crickets raised for pet reptiles and zoo animals, and driving several farmers out of business, the AP reports. Farmers with operations hit by the virus say it is proving almost impossible to eradicate from their facilities. Some cricket buyers say they have had to seek out new suppliers. (More cricket stories.)