Deciphering Outbreaks of the Migratory Locust (Locusta Migratoria L.) (Orthoptera: Acrididae) With Their Management Strategies

Abstract

The economic importance of locusts is well recognized throughout the world owing to their swarming behavior. The damage caused by hoppers on a small scale is mostly limited to local vegetation, primarily crops. Crop damage is overlooked, but it is tenacious in nature, and the effects they leave on planned systems, such as crop fields, are much more serious. Therefore, many taxa (genera or species) of the family Acrididae are considered as potential pests of farms, forests and even pastures. In general, the distribution of locusts decreases with increasing latitudes, i.e., Their occurrence increases towards the equator. When ecological conditions favour more plant growth and trigger more breeding, locusts can manage to aggregate in a huge voracious swarm and inflict damage to crops. When outbreaks of the migratory locust, Locusta migratoria L. arose in the southeastern part of Pakistan in the Sind, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Minchinabad and Chistian adjoining districts bordering the eastern sides of India. As a result, further damage to crops and migration to other areas were prevented. Morphometric measurements indicated that the migrants had reached the body dimensions typical for gregarious forms. Drum and empty tin beating and pesticide application are both effective in managing locusts under field conditions. Swarms of adults landed on the grazing and farming lands of the country, specifically from Sind (Thar) to Chistian, Bahawalpur, Rahim yar khan, Minchinabad, Lodhran and adjacent districts in the region in November 2019, and caused substantial damage to agricultural crops and pastures. In the fall of 2019, numerous locusts suddenly swarmed in the affected areas, and thus, control was essential. The organochlorines are highly persistent and include dieldrin and HCH. These insecticides were the most favoured for locust control because of their efficacy, cost and persistence. Sprayed from land or aerial vehicles, whole swarms can be targeted in relatively short periods of time. Traditionally, the use of empty tin/drum was beaten to produce a loud sound that drove the locust away. The practices are cost effective and environmentally friendly.