Abstract
Since ancient times, locusts have been serious pests wreaking havoc on settled agriculture throughout much of the world. Numerous locust practices have been developed to control infestations. This has led to most commentaries portraying locust infestations only in a negative light while focusing on finding best management practices for suppressing locust populations and lessening crop damage caused by swarms. Yet, locusts are also of great ecological significance in being not only an extraordinary natural phenomenon but also major components of ecosystem nutrient cycling, arising long before settled agriculture. Furthermore, for humans, locusts are a nutritious food source, historically and currently being consumed directly. Locust control today should more regularly include their harvesting. This is now more feasible, as environmentally friendly biopesticides can be used to replace harmful organic pesticides. We focus here on the ecological significance of locusts by using calculations based on a 1 km2 area of swarming and breeding Desert locusts, Schistocerca gregaria, and show that the huge biomass of locust individuals contributes greatly to ecosystem processes while also having great potential use in human nutrition, especially where there is an urgent need for improved dietary intake and nutrition.
Highlights
BackgroundThe formation of locust swarms is associated with heavy and extensive rainfall events, as occurred on the horn of Africa and in East Africa (2019–2020)
We focus on the infamous Desert locust, using it to sketch how locust swarms move nutrients over space and time, the cycling of nitrogen and carbon into the soil ecosystem for plant uptake and their nutritional value as food for humans
Locusts have been viewed only in a negative light. They are responsible for devastating crop losses, they play an important role in nutrient cycling
Summary
The formation of locust swarms is associated with heavy and extensive rainfall events, as occurred on the horn of Africa and in East Africa (2019–2020). When these adults converge on localized patches of green vegetation appearing after rains, they form large congregations [12]. In areas where vegetation and oviposition resources are discontinuous, solitarious adults will aggregate where resources are concentrated. This is to a lesser extent when resources are of poor quality and evenly spread across the landscape [15]. When nymphs are densely crowded, mutual tactile stimulation of the hind legs increases their serotonin levels [19], which leads directly to changes in behavior and, in the following generations, to color and morphological changes, higher appetite, and increased intensity of breeding [20,21]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
