Spotted Locusts II Locust infestation II Ecology and Impact

Description

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Context:

Farmers in Idukki in Kerala are now suffering due to the menace of Spotted locust infestation.

Spotted Locusts

*About*	It is a grasshopper species and belongs to the family Pyrgomorphidae. The insect has been called by a variety of names including coffee locust, ghost grasshopper, northern spotted grasshopper, and foam grasshopper, and enjoys some popularity as a pet insect.
*Scientific name*	*Aularches miliaris*
*Habitat*	They are often found in grasslands and areas with bushy vegetation.
*Distribution*	It is native to South and Southeast Asia. It has two subspecies: A. miliaris miliaris (Linnaeus- India to Indo-China A. miliaris pseudopunctatus Kevan - Pakistan
*Features*	They are heavy and sluggish and make only short jumps. It has a bright warning colour. This colour along with its fairly large size keeps predators away. It swarms during October for mating and egg-laying. When disturbed it emits a rasping noise. They eject toxic foam as a defence mechanism.
*Size*	Adult males are typically 3.7–5.5 cm long and females are typically 4.7–6.9 cm.
*Threats*	They are considered a pest in agricultural areas. They have been misidentified by farmers as locusts, which has led to panic among farmers.
*Conservation status*	They are near threatened in the Western Ghats of South India due to habitat loss and environmental changes.
*Prevention*	The effective population control methods include tilling and manual collection. Using pesticides can prevent it but they are not environmentally friendly and can harm other species.
*Ecological Importance*	Their presence in soil is indicative of soil health and contributes to ecosystem balance. They contribute to soil aeration through egg-laying, promoting biodiversity.

Locusts

*About*	They are short-horned grasshoppers of the Acrididae family. Acrididae are a family of grasshoppers which comprise some 10,000 of the 11,000 species.
*Phases of Locusts*	Locusts have two phases Solitary Phase: It shows Camouflage colouration during this phase. It has a low metabolic rate and sluggish behaviour. Their wings become shorter and their legs become. Gregarious Phase: It shows bright black and yellow or orange colouration. It has metabolic rate, and active and social behaviour during this phase. It also has longer wings and a broader body.
*Swarming Behaviour*	Crowding of locusts in one place triggers a shift from solitary to gregarious phase. Their flight patterns are often influenced by storm systems and winds. They swarm in the direction of the storm. Locust infestation in Gujarat and Maharashtra due to cyclones from the Arabian Sea is due to the carrying of locusts from the Arabian Peninsula and Iran region by the cyclone.
*Notable Locust Species*	*Migratory Locust (Locusta migratoria*): They are found in a wide range of areas across the world, especially in grasslands globally. Desert Locust (Schistocerca gregaria): They inhabit dry regions and are capable of long flights. Italian and Moroccan Locusts:** They are found in the Mediterranean region and cause significant damage there.
*Control Measures*	Once established, locust plagues are difficult to control. Because of this, they should be killed in the early stages by destroying egg masses. They can be trapped in trenches. Hopper Dozers for collecting locusts are also used. Insecticides are applied to aircraft in Middle East regions.

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Locusts and control measures

Sources:

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements about the “Spotted Locusts ” recently seen in the news:

It is a grasshopper species.
It is native to Middle eastern countries.
Their presence in soil is indicative of soil health.

Which of the above statements are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only

B. 1 and 3 only

C. 1, 2 and 3 only

D. None

Answer: B

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct:

It is a grasshopper species and belongs to the family Pyrgomorphidae.

The insect has been called by a variety of names including coffee locust, ghost grasshopper, northern spotted grasshopper, and foam grasshopper, and enjoys some popularity as a pet insect.

Statement 2 is incorrect:

It is native to South and Southeast Asia.

It has two subspecies:

A. miliaris miliaris (Linnaeus- India to Indo-China
A. miliaris pseudopunctatus Kevan - Pakistan

Statement 3 is correct:

Their presence in soil is indicative of soil health and contributes to ecosystem balance.
They contribute to soil aeration through egg-laying, promoting biodiversity.