Why do Locusts Swarm?
Until recently, little was known about why solitary grasshoppers change their behaviour when in company – grouping together to indulge in widespread mayhem. Now, zoologists at the University of Oxford, UK, say they have identified the biological mechanism that causes locusts to swarm. Headed by Stephen Simpson, the team has pointed out the sensitive hairs on the insects’ legs, which activate swarming. Incredible as it may sound, this discovery was made by tickling locusts under study, with a paintbrush! Tickling other parts of the locust, such as its antennae or back had no effect on behaviour. It is the tiny hair on the hind legs that get stimulated when the insects group together – turning the harmless insects into destructive pests. The scientists point out that the nervous system sends a message to the insects’ brain, which in turn triggers off a chemical reaction that results in swarming! The research team says that this discovery has great importance for it could finally lead to
