A summary of control strategies for the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria (Forskål)

Abstract

Repeated desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria (Forskål), outbreaks and plagues in Africa and Asia have in recent years prompted the international community to focus on preventing plague status from being reached through early intervention. Developing and implementing strategies for plague prevention must incorporate strengthening of human and material resources in the locust-affected countries, and emerging technologies must be integrated within strategies in order to construct workable, cost-effective, and environmentally benign locust-control systems at national and regional levels. Components and types of locust-control strategies are outlined. The 1986–1989, 1992–1994, and 1997–1998 campaigns are contrasted to show that implementing proactive control might be associated with reduced pesticide application, economic costs, environmental risks, and duration and extent of the locust threat. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ Emergency Prevention System (desert locust component) is briefly described.