Articles tagged with Locusts
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Researchers discovered that locusts regurgitate to repel ant attacks, and the mixture of diethyl glutarate, 3-methylindole, and 2-(formylamino)benzoic acid stimulates ant gustation, leading to aversion
A new theory suggests locusts follow an uncoordinated version of follow-the-leader behavior rather than synchronized collective motion. Environmental factors influence swarm direction, with individual locusts reacting to their nearest neighbors.
Researchers from the University of Konstanz challenged long-held hypotheses on collective motion in locust swarms, finding that sensory input and neural representations drive movement decisions. Contrary to previous assumptions, alignment with others is not responsible for coordinating collective motion.
A team from the University of Cambridge has developed a model to predict desert locust swarms, enabling national agencies to respond quickly. The model uses weather forecast data and computational models to forecast locust swarm movements both short and long-term.
Researchers found that female locust's digging valves wear down significantly despite being used only 3-4 times in a lifetime. The study demonstrates the 'good enough' principle in evolution, where extra resources are not invested in organs with specific purposes performed adequately.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have found that serotonin increases the amplitude of neural responses to food-related odors in locusts, while ignoring non-food smells. This discovery sheds light on how sensory signals are processed and could inspire solutions for odor detection in toxic environments.
The study reveals a unique, ring-shaped organization of the antennal lobe, with specific glomerular clusters encoding different odors. This coding mechanism differs from other insects and vertebrates, with the representation of odor valence encoded in higher brain centers.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis used specially made nanostructures to enhance the locust's ability to detect odors, boosting neural signals for improved chemical sensing. The team created a biocompatible and biodegradable nanoparticle that converts light to heat, amplifying neural activity.
A study found that the pheromone 4-vinylanisole reduces locusts' transition time from solitary to gregarious behavior, increasing social interactions. This discovery provides insights into locust behavioral plasticity and aggregation mechanisms.
The study reveals the ability of organisms to achieve distinct body color patterns through precise control of pigment deposition. Gregarious locusts use their black-brown warning coloration to enhance aposematism by stimulating both visual and olfactory senses, facilitating recognition of conspecifics and maintaining large swarms.
Researchers found that locusts have a clear preference for certain odors, such as grass and banana, while avoiding others like almond and citrus. They developed a model explaining how innate and learned preferences are generated in the locust's olfactory system.
Researchers discovered a chemical defense mechanism in migratory locusts that deters cannibalism, reducing the formation of destructive swarms. The pheromone PAN protects individuals from being eaten by other locusts when population density increases.
A study analyzing locust temperature and behavior found the best time to apply biopesticides is when they are young, around 20 days after hatching. This timing ensures optimal conditions for effectiveness, as locusts have lower body temperatures in this stage.
A new study suggests that increased awareness of biopesticide market availability, efficacy, and field application processes could help tackle locust outbreaks in China. The researchers argue that future studies should focus on modeling the expected impact and cost effectiveness of chemicals versus biopesticides.
A study led by Violet Ochieng found that drones can effectively target desert locusts with biopesticides at a height of 10 meters, making it an attractive technology for locust management. The research also highlights the importance of targeting the most susceptible early stages to achieve optimal control.
A recent study found that organophosphate pesticides used to control desert locusts in Eastern Africa had devastating impacts on honey production, pollinators, and ecosystems. The campaign led to a 78% decline in honey production and an estimated loss of US$500 million in revenue.
Scientists have developed a model that estimates adult emergence periods and identifies migratory populations of the yellow-spined bamboo locust based on ovarian development. The study provides key information for predicting pest occurrences and highlights the importance of considering reproductive system development in sustainable pes...
Researchers from the Chinese MARA-CABI Joint Laboratory have discovered the optimum time to apply safer-to-use biopesticides to fight the Oriental migratory locust pest. The study, published in Frontiers in Physiology, found that applying biopesticides on younger locusts at dawn or dusk is most effective due to lower body temperatures.
A meta-analysis of transcriptome data from aphids and locusts reveals that DNA replication, metabolic processes, and the mitotic cell cycle are enriched in response to crowded conditions. The study also identifies discrepancies with previous research findings, suggesting alternative explanations for gene expression patterns.
Researchers have identified a sex-adapted color-change gene in locusts that signals between males to reduce mating mistakes in swarming conditions. The discovery reveals a previously unknown sexual dimension to desert locusts' phase polyphenism, providing insights into the evolution of phenotypic plasticity.
Researchers found that certain locust bean and green bean varieties are highly resilient to climate change, while others are sensitive. These findings have implications for crop conservation and improvement, providing alternatives to boost adaptation to changing conditions.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University found that a specific type of bacteria, Weissella, becomes dominant in the gut microbiomes of locusts when they form swarms. This change may provide the bacteria with an evolutionary advantage, allowing them to spread and infect more locusts.
The study's findings provide a foundation for developing efficient protein isolation techniques from insect powders, which could help address global hunger and malnutrition issues. Insect-based protein sources are rich in essential amino acids and offer a sustainable alternative to traditional farming methods.
A team of researchers at Washington University in St. Louis used machine learning to understand how locusts can consistently recognize smells despite environmental factors, finding that combining the activity of ON and OFF neurons provides a simple yet effective solution.
A severe upsurge of desert locusts in 2019-2020 caused $3.4 billion to $10.21 billion in monetary losses and severe acute food insecurity for over 3 million people in Pakistan. The authors suggest improving the prevention system, developing compensatory measures, and increasing the use of alternative pesticides.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have connected a real locust ear to a robot that receives electrical signals and responds accordingly. The locust's ear detects vibrations in the air, allowing the robot to move forward or backward based on clapping sounds.
The desert locust's two internal compasses rely on the sun's position and sky polarization patterns. The protocerebral bridge in the central complex encodes 360 degrees of space, enabling navigation based on combined cues from the sky.
A team of engineers has developed a low-power collision detector inspired by locusts' ability to avoid collisions. The device mimics the locust's response to incoming objects, responding in two seconds and using minimal energy.
Researchers successfully trained locusts to detect and differentiate various explosives using their olfactory system. The team also developed a way to read the brain activity of the locusts to pinpoint the direction of odor emission, paving the way for bomb-sniffing cyborg locusts.
Researchers used a virtual flight simulator to compare the effects of two pesticides on locusts, finding that the newer sulfoxamine pesticide does not impair motion detection ability at low dosages. The study suggests that the pesticide may be safer than current neonicotinoid options for agriculture use.
Researchers investigated the effects of neonicotinoids and sulfoximines on locusts' collision avoidance behavior. The study found that neonicotinoids inhibit tuning of visual sensory circuits, leading to impaired motion detection at sublethal doses.
A new smartphone app, MAESTRO*, can recognize locusts and grasshopper pests through camera images and record GPS locations. The app aims to enable targeted pesticide delivery to prevent swarms from spreading and devastating crops. Researchers gathered over 3,500 locust images to train the system.
Scientists at the University of Göttingen have identified an alternative erythropoietin receptor, CRLF3, which triggers protective effects in humans without stimulating red blood cell production. This discovery offers new hope for treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
A CABI-led project has helped China reduce its reliance on harmful pesticides by developing cutting-edge data and models to predict crop pest spread and severity. The £1.6m STFC Newton Agri-Tech Fund-financed project has left a lasting legacy in promoting sustainable controls and biopesticide use.
A machine learning model can reproduce the swarming behavior of locusts by integrating methods from philosophical action theory and quantum optics. The 'Projective Simulation' learning model was successfully applied to a locust's specific swarming behavior, demonstrating its potential for realistic application to biological systems.
A team of scientists identified a novel antipredator defense mechanism in locusts, where an olfactory aposematic signal is converted into a hypertoxic chemical. The discovery revealed that phenylacetonitrile (PAN) serves as both a warning signal and a cyanide precursor to deter predators.
A new smartphone app is being developed to help farmers in hot climates identify and record the spread of locusts on their land. The app uses advanced computer vision technology to recognize locusts through the phone's camera and record its location, enabling farmers to target pesticides more accurately and reduce crop damage.
A novel 'palette effect' mechanism allows locusts to switch between green and black coloring in response to different environments. The discovery reveals a red pigment complex acts as a switch to coordinate the insects' color changes, providing an adaptive response to population density.
Researchers found that locusts use an OR-of-ANDs logical operation to compensate for variability in brain activity when recognizing smells. This allows the locusts to generalize and recognize the target odorant despite changes in context.
A recent study by the Technical University of Munich found that trees with grassy areas can significantly cool urban environments, particularly on hot summer days. The research showed that black locust trees provide a higher cooling effect compared to linden trees, making them a promising option for cities like Munich.
Climate change may alter desert locust distribution and behavior, potentially increasing agricultural threats in southern Africa. The study suggests maintaining existing monitoring capacities and reviewing prevention strategies to address changing environmental conditions.
Researchers found distinct protein structures and varying chitin ratios in cicada wings compared to locust wings. This difference may contribute to cicadas' relatively heavy wings, limiting their flight distances.
Researchers developed a non-invasive nanoparticle delivery method that can target the brain via the nasal cavity, reaching it within minutes. The approach uses aerosol science and engineering principles to generate monodisperse nanoparticles that pass through the brain-blood barrier.
A team of engineers from Washington University in St. Louis is developing a bio-hybrid nose using the highly sensitive locust olfactory system to create new biorobotic sensing systems. The team plans to monitor neural activity and decode odorants present in the environment, paving the way for explosive detection.
A new miniature robot, inspired by the jumping mechanism of locusts, can jump 11 feet high and cover a horizontal distance of 4.5 feet in one leap, making it suitable for search-and-rescue missions in rough terrain. The researchers are currently working on a gliding mechanism to expand its applications.
Researchers study insect leg shapes to improve thin-walled tube safety in aircraft and hospital equipment. They find that non-circular cross sections can be designed without compromising mechanical strength, inspired by nature.
A team of biomedical engineers at Washington University in St. Louis used locusts to study the brain's processing of information from its senses. They found that when two puffs of a similar odor were given one after the other, the spiking neural activity generated by the first encountered odor interfered with processing the second odor.
The LOCUST program demonstrates autonomous collaborative behavior in defensive or offensive missions using information-sharing between UAVs. The technology enables swarms of compact UAVs to take off from various platforms, providing a cost-effective and reduced-risk combat power multiplication.
Researchers identified nerve cells that produce serotonin, leading to gregarious behavior in locusts. Serotonin also plays a role in regulating mood and behavior in humans, with links to mental disorders like depression and anxiety.
A massive 20-million-year-old Dominican amber collection is yielding fresh insights into ancient tropical insects and their habitats. The discovery of a pygmy locust represents an intermediate stage of evolution in its subfamily, revealing vestigial wings that had lost their primary function.
Scientists discovered that locusts prefer food sources with optimal protein/carbohydrate ratios at specific temperatures. The study found that locusts modify their behavior to get the maximum benefit from available nutrients.
Researchers sequenced the locust genome, revealing a large and complex genetic makeup. The study found that repetitive elements made up 60% of the genome and were highly methylated, suggesting a role in phase change and swarm behavior.
Researchers used locusts to demonstrate how the brain processes multiple odors simultaneously, recognizing patterns and adapting to new cues. The findings shed light on principles of olfactory computation and have potential applications in medical diagnostics and non-invasive chemical sensing.
Scientists trained desert locusts using Pavlov's dog method, finding that they can re-associate toxic odors with food rewards when in a swarm. Locusts retain memories of previously acquired associations but cannot form new aversive memories.
Researchers discovered that locusts use a unique mechanism to process sound, with energy density amplified as waves travel across the eardrum. This phenomenon could lead to practical possibilities for tiny microphones and signal processing.
Locust swarms threaten food security in Asia, Africa, and Australia, costing billions of dollars in lost harvests. A new ASU-led project studies human behavior, market forces, and ecological systems to minimize locust outbreaks.
Researchers found that black locust, a short-rotation woody crop, has the highest yield and fastest harvest time among the crops evaluated. The crop's rapid growth allows for more frequent harvesting, making it an attractive option for biomass production in the Midwest.
A research team at Bielefeld University is studying how female locusts prefer males with the most powerful swellings on their front legs. The study aims to understand the evolution of sexual ornaments and their role in mate selection, which may be linked to an animal's health.
Locusts prefer low-nitrogen, high-carbohydrate diets, which are more likely on overgrazed plots. Nitrogen fertilizer may be an eco-friendly alternative pest control solution.
A protein linked to learning and memory plays a crucial role in driving desert locusts from harmless grasshoppers to destructive swarms. Researchers discovered that this protein acts as a molecular switch in social feedback loops, triggering the locusts' gregarious behavior.