Locust
Locust
Locust (/ˈloʊkəst/), from the Latin locusta, meaning grasshopper, is a group of certain species of short-horned grasshoppers in the family Acrididae that have a swarming phase. These insects are usually solitary, but under certain circumstances become more abundant and change their behaviour and habits, becoming gregarious.
Etymology
The term "locust" is derived from the Latin word locusta, which was used to refer both to the insect we now know as the locust and to the lobster. The English term "locust" is used for grasshopper species that change morphologically and behaviourally on crowding, forming swarms that develop from bands of immature stages and can cause significant agricultural damage.
Species
The most well-known locust species are those of the genera Schistocerca and Locusta. The Desert Locust (Schistocerca gregaria), the migratory locust (Locusta migratoria), and the red locust (Nomadacris septemfasciata) are some of the locust species that are of economic significance due to their ability to form destructive swarms.
Behaviour
Locusts are unique in their ability to switch from a solitary phase, with a low population density, to a gregarious phase, with a high population density. This behavioural plasticity is a response to changes in the environment, such as the availability of food and the density of the locust population.
Impact
Locust swarms can have a devastating impact on agriculture, as they consume large quantities of crops and forage. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations provides information and support to affected countries to manage locust outbreaks.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Locust
- Wikipedia's article - Locust
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