Desert Locusts

Desert Locusts : Recently, scientists at the Locust Warning Organisation (LWO) observed groups of desert locusts in Rajasthan's Sri Ganganagar and Jaisalmer districts.

o This sitaution is concerning, particularly as desert locusts are currently causing widespread damage in East Africa, destroying crucial crops such as maize, sorghum, and wheat.

• About Desert Locusts: Schistocerca gregaria (Scientific Name), a type of short-horned grasshopper found in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. During quiet periods, it inhabits around six million square miles across 30 countries.

o Behavioral Phases: Harmless when solitary, but when population density increases, they shift to a gregarious phase, forming massive swarms that can travel up to 150 km per day, consuming large amounts of vegetation.

o Destructive Potential: Known for their polyphagous diet, they feed on a wide range of crops, including wheat, barley, maize, and vegetables, posing a major threat to food security.

o Reproductive Capacity: A single female can lay 60–80 eggs up to three times in a 90-day lifespan, enabling rapid population growth. One square kilometer can host 40–80 million locusts.

o Spread and Impact: Their fast multiplication is often likened to the spread of a virus. India sees limited damage due to a single breeding season, while regions like Pakistan, Iran, and East Africa face multiple breeding cycles, resulting in more frequent and severe outbreaks.