Understanding Locusts Behavior

Posted on Mon May 12 2008

By: Praveen Sequeira in Environment

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Locust plagues are viewed as pretty awesome events, one of the most splendid things that takes place in nature. Can you imagine millions of tiny critters, suddenly swarming the environment and causing mind blowing destruction and ruin?

Ever wondered, what's the reason that makes them behave in such a manner? Well, a team of scientists and researchers of Princeton University, along with scientists from the University of Sydney, as well as the University of Oxford, believe that they have do have an answer to this question that has intrigued many.

Something that you least expected or ever imagined – Cannibalism is the answer. So, cannibalism is basically when members of one species feeds on its own species members. On the basis of their research, analysis and findings, these scientists believe that this collective motion is due to cannibalism. Cannibalistic interactions within locusts is common. While desert locusts mostly feed on the vegetation, however single locusts by themselves feed on other cadavers or locusts.

When the food supply runs out, these individual locusts have no option but to eat other members of its species. This is because, they are starved, and their bodies require the essential nutrients such as minerals and proteins. The result being nipping fellow locusts. Those locusts that are under attack, react to this by getting away from their aggressors. Yet, others get jittery and strive to put space between them and their attackers. And in this way, a single aggressive interaction leads to a collective reaction. Such activities are intensified and the momentum increased when the biting and approach increases.

These scientists studied flightless locusts and also used computerized motion to track the insect's behavior within an enclosed area.

Researchers reveal that locust nymphs move around in what is known as bands. These bands are large groups of locusts who move together and devour vegetation as they move along. They then move ahead of the swarms of adult locusts. Controlling these locusts is no easy task, moreover its rather expensive. It's essential for us humans to understand why, where and when these locusts bands form, so that the locust populations can be controlled.

Nearly a fifth of the locusts have invaded the surface of the earth. They have been responsible for several crisis all over the world.

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