Observations on gliding in the desert locust

Abstract

Summary Observations on gliding flight by the Desert Locust in Eastern Africa and Arabia are recorded. It is shown that gliding is a not uncommon feature of adult behaviour; it has been recorded among fledglings, immature, and mature populations over a wide range of densities, and may be evinced by a considerable proportion of the individuals in a population. The observed duration of individual glides ranged from a few seconds to 150 seconds; in one series of observations individuals of a population of locusts passing overhead for 4 to 6 hours daily were seem to be in continuous gliding flight. Problems of maintenance of height by gliding locusts are discussed. It is suggested that gliding may be advantageous to the species, since it allows greater airborne endurance. Possible factors in the commencement and termination of gliding flight are discussed.