Sputty
2004-10-03, 12:24 PM
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/1243581.stm
Why locusts swarm
By BBC News Online's Helen Briggs
Scientists say they have identified the biological trigger that causes locusts to swarm.
The discovery could lead to new insecticides capable of stopping the vast "clouds" of insects that can devastate crops.
It's the G-spot of the locust - G for gregarisation, in this case
Stephen Simpson, Oxford University
Previous research has shown that solitary locusts change their behaviour when in company, grouping together and eventually swarming.
For the first time, zoologists at the University of Oxford, UK, have pinpointed touch-sensitive hairs on the insects' hind legs which activate swarming.
"It's the G-spot of the locust - G for gregarisation, in this case," team leader Stephen Simpson told BBC News Online.
Crowd behaviour
Locusts are normally shy, solitary creatures. But in a swarm they become a menace, capable of stripping fields of crops in a matter of hours.
The Oxford team has found that "hot-spots" on the hind legs of the locusts, stimulated when they group together, turn the relatively harmless insects into destructive pests.
The discovery is important because it could lead to new insecticides capable of stopping insects from swarming.
"The nervous system communicates with chemicals," Professor Simpson said. "If you can work out which neural pathways are involved and what signalling chemicals they use to change locusts' behaviour from solitary to swarming, it might be possible to develop new control chemicals."
Tickle technique
The discovery was made by tickling lab locusts with a paintbrush.
When a specific region of the insect's back leg was stimulated, it caused a shift from solitary to gregarious behaviour.
Tickling other parts of the locust, such as its antennae, mouthparts or abdomen, had no effect on behaviour.
The research is reported in the current edition of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
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See also:
23 Oct 00 | Sci/Tech
Locust liquidator boost
11 Oct 99 | Sci/Tech
Hopes for stopping locusts
04 Mar 98 | Sci/Tech
Cyberbugs are go
Internet links:
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Zoology Department, Oxford University
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
Links to more Sci/Tech stories are at the foot of the page.
Why locusts swarm
By BBC News Online's Helen Briggs
Scientists say they have identified the biological trigger that causes locusts to swarm.
The discovery could lead to new insecticides capable of stopping the vast "clouds" of insects that can devastate crops.
It's the G-spot of the locust - G for gregarisation, in this case
Stephen Simpson, Oxford University
Previous research has shown that solitary locusts change their behaviour when in company, grouping together and eventually swarming.
For the first time, zoologists at the University of Oxford, UK, have pinpointed touch-sensitive hairs on the insects' hind legs which activate swarming.
"It's the G-spot of the locust - G for gregarisation, in this case," team leader Stephen Simpson told BBC News Online.
Crowd behaviour
Locusts are normally shy, solitary creatures. But in a swarm they become a menace, capable of stripping fields of crops in a matter of hours.
The Oxford team has found that "hot-spots" on the hind legs of the locusts, stimulated when they group together, turn the relatively harmless insects into destructive pests.
The discovery is important because it could lead to new insecticides capable of stopping insects from swarming.
"The nervous system communicates with chemicals," Professor Simpson said. "If you can work out which neural pathways are involved and what signalling chemicals they use to change locusts' behaviour from solitary to swarming, it might be possible to develop new control chemicals."
Tickle technique
The discovery was made by tickling lab locusts with a paintbrush.
When a specific region of the insect's back leg was stimulated, it caused a shift from solitary to gregarious behaviour.
Tickling other parts of the locust, such as its antennae, mouthparts or abdomen, had no effect on behaviour.
The research is reported in the current edition of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Search BBC News Online
Advanced search options
BBC RADIO NEWS
BBC ONE TV NEWS
WORLD NEWS SUMMARY
BBC NEWS 24 BULLETIN
PROGRAMMES GUIDE
See also:
23 Oct 00 | Sci/Tech
Locust liquidator boost
11 Oct 99 | Sci/Tech
Hopes for stopping locusts
04 Mar 98 | Sci/Tech
Cyberbugs are go
Internet links:
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Zoology Department, Oxford University
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
Links to more Sci/Tech stories are at the foot of the page.