Developments in the Strategy of Red Locust Plague Prevention in the Fifty-Year History of the International Red Locust Control Organisation for Central and Southern Africa

Abstract

The International Red Locust Control Service (IRLCS) was formally established in 1949 with the primary objective of controlling locusts in their outbreak areas, thereby preventing the recurrence of plagues. The name of IRLCS was subsequently changed in 1970 to the International Red Locust Control Organisation for Central and Southern Africa (IRLCO-CSA), but retained the same objectives. Over the years, IRLCO-CSA has experienced changes in membership and locations of its Headquarters and operational centres. Its principle mandate has remained the same even though it has been modified and rationalised from time to time. The organisation carried out investigations that led to the identification of the red locust outbreak areas and the development of various control technologies. Control methods developed from the original physical ones which were laborious and inefficient; to insecticide dusting and baiting; to the spraying by aircraft. In its history of locust control programmes, IRLCO-CSA has used arsenic compounds, BHC, DNOC, dieldrin and fenitrothion as insecticides. The success that IRLCO-CSA has enjoyed in its 50 years history has been thanks to the cooperation of countries in eastern, central and southern Africa which are vulnerable to attack by the red locust, and the international community.