Respected scholar and biblical archaeologist, Jim Tabor, has an article that suggests "locusts" is a mis-translation of a similar word that can describe carob pods or honey cakes. Carob trees were and still are are cultivated in Israel and they are sometimes called locust trees. Their pod fruit tastes like chocolate and is called St John's Bread!
Very interesting read: https://jamestabor.com/did-joh...s-beans-or-pancakes/
While we're mythbusting here, it's important to note that the hair John wore was likely soft camel's hair, and not the myth of prickly hair. It is the same description used in 2Kings1:8 to describe Elijah. Thus, John's outfit was intentionally described like Elijah's mantle, a prophet's sign of authority.