Locust

Locust
Holger Krisp · CC BY 3.0 · source
Name	Locust
Status	VU
Regnum	Animalia
Phylum	Arthropoda
Classis	Insecta
Ordo	Orthoptera
Familia	Acrididae
Subdivision ranks	Genera

Locust Locusts are several species of short-horned grasshoppers in the family Acrididae that can form dense, migratory swarms that devastate crops across continents. Historically implicated in famines and socio-political crises, locust outbreaks have intersected with major events from antiquity through modern humanitarian responses, prompting study by entomologists, agronomists, and policy-makers. Research into their physiology, behavior, and control links to institutions and initiatives worldwide.

Taxonomy and Biology

Many locusts belong to genera such as Schistocerca, Locusta (note: genus name here is a proper noun in taxonomic usage), Cyrtacanthacris, and Nomadacris. Key species include Schistocerca gregaria (desert locust), Locusta migratoria (migratory locust), Nomadacris septemfasciata (red locust), and Cyrtacanthacris aeruginosa. Taxonomic classification places them within the order Orthoptera and the family Acrididae, with phylogenetic work drawing on specimens from collections at institutions like the Natural History Museum, London and the Smithsonian Institution. Morphologically, adults exhibit powerful hind femora adapted for jumping, tegmina for flight, and mouthparts of the mandibulate type; descriptions appear in monographs associated with the Royal Entomological Society. Anatomical and genetic studies have been published in journals linked to the Royal Society and universities such as University of Cambridge and University of Oxford.

Life Cycle and Phase Polyphenism

Locusts undergo hemimetabolous development: egg, nymph (hopper), and adult stages, a cycle described in field studies by researchers affiliated with the Food and Agriculture Organization and national agricultural research centers like the International Center of Insect Physiology and Ecology. Eggs are often deposited in soil in pods and hatch into wingless nymphs that progress through instars before wing development. Crucially, certain species exhibit phase polyphenism: solitary and gregarious phases with distinct morphology, physiology, and behavior. Studies of hormonal regulation cite pathways involving juvenile hormone and neurotransmitters investigated at laboratories such as the Max Planck Society and universities including Harvard University and University of California, Davis.

Behavior and Swarming Dynamics

Transition from solitary to gregarious phase can be triggered by population density, tactile stimulation, and resource distribution—mechanisms explored by researchers from CSIRO and the Institut de Recherche pour le Développement. Gregarious individuals exhibit synchronized marching, collective decision-making, and long-distance flight, forming swarms that navigate using wind currents and visual cues; meteorological modeling by agencies like the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration informs predictions. Swarm formation and fidelity involve neuroecological research tied to centers such as Johns Hopkins University and California Institute of Technology, while historical swarm events have been recorded by chroniclers associated with empires including the Roman Empire and the Ottoman Empire.

Ecology and Habitat

Many locust species occupy arid and semi-arid regions, seasonal grasslands, and croplands across Africa, Asia, Australia, and parts of Europe. Key geographic hotspots include the Sahel, the Horn of Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Indo-Pakistani plains. Habitat suitability depends on rainfall patterns, vegetation greenness, and land use as monitored via satellite systems like Copernicus Programme and platforms used by the United Nations for early warning. Interactions with other taxa—predators such as birds studied by ornithologists at institutions like the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and parasitoids investigated by teams at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology—shape population dynamics. Climate variability linked to phenomena like El Niño–Southern Oscillation influences outbreak frequency, as shown in analyses by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Agriculture and Economic Impact

Locust plagues can cause acute food insecurity, affecting staple crops and fodder and triggering humanitarian crises addressed by organizations such as the World Food Programme and national ministries of agriculture. Historical famines associated with locusts appear in records connected to dynasties and states including the Qing dynasty and colonial administrations like the British Empire. Economic assessments by the World Bank and the Food and Agriculture Organization quantify losses in gross domestic product and rural livelihoods, influencing policy responses by the African Union and regional bodies such as the Arab League.

Control and Management Strategies

Control strategies combine surveillance, chemical control, biological agents, habitat management, and early warning systems coordinated by the Food and Agriculture Organization and national plant protection organizations like Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service and Pakistan Agricultural Research Council. Chemical insecticides—applied via aircraft and ground units—have been supplied and regulated with guidance from the World Health Organization and environmental assessments by the United Nations Environment Programme. Biocontrol agents, including fungal pathogens developed with research at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation and commercial partners, offer alternatives. Integrated pest management models incorporate remote sensing from European Space Agency satellites, community engagement through nongovernmental organizations such as CARE International and Oxfam, and policy frameworks established by entities like the African Union Commission.

Category:Insects