The locust sound produced by locusts depends greatly on the group of locusts involved. The locusts will then begin to attack fields, crops and other places with new vegetation.
During this phase, locusts begin to mature faster and reproduce more rapidly. The locust sound is important in attracting mates and moderating locust behaviour based on the environment.
Keep reading to find out more!
What are Facts About the Locust?
These grasshoppers normally are harmless, they are not in large numbers and do not pose any major economic threats to agriculture.
Serotonin, a neurotransmitter, is released in the brain when conditions are right, such as drought and rapid growth of vegetation. This triggers a dramatic change: They start breeding abundantly.
The nymphs form a band of wingless nymphs, which later become a swarm of winged adults. The swarms and bands both move rapidly, stripping fields and damaging crops.
The adults can fly long distances and consume most of the vegetation where the swarm settles.
Since prehistory, locusts have been a plague. Ancient Egyptians carved the insects on tombs, and they are mentioned in the Iliad and the Bible.
Swarms of locusts have destroyed crops, caused famines, and forced people to migrate. Recent changes in agricultural practices and better surveillance over locust breeding areas have enabled control measures to be taken at an early stage.
Insecticides are used to control locusts traditionally, either from the air or ground. However, newer biological methods have proven more effective.
When weather conditions are right and vigilance is lacking, plagues may occur.
They are useful for classroom and research studies in zoology. Humans can eat them. In many countries, they are a delicacy and have been consumed throughout history.
Read also: Can Grasshoppers Regrow Legs?
What are the Species of Locusts?
- Sudan plague – (Aiolopus simulatrix)
- Egyptian – (Anacridium aegyptium)
- Sahelian tree – (Anacridium melanorhodon)
- Sudan tree – (Anacridium wernerellum)
- Spur-throated locust (Austracris guttulosa)
- Small plague grasshopper (Austroicetes cruciata)
- Italian – (Calliptamus italicus)
- Yellow-spined bamboo – (Ceracris kiangsu)
- Australian plague – (Chortoicetes terminifera)
- High plains – (Dissosteira longipennis)
- Moroccan – (Dociostaurus maroccanus)
- Yellow-winged – (Gastrimargus musicus)
- Siberian – (Gomphocerus sibiricus)
- Migratory – (Locusta migratoria)
- Brown locust (Locustana pardalina)
- Differential grasshopper (Melanoplus differentialis)
- Migratory grasshopper (Melanoplus sanguinipes)
- Rocky Mountain – (Melanoplus spretus)
- Red – (Nomadacris septemfasciata)
- Bombay locust (Nomadacris succincta)
- Senegalese grasshopper (Oedaleus senegalensis)
- Mato Grosso – (Rhammatocerus schistocercoides)
- South American – (Schistocerca cancellata)
- Desert – (Schistocerca gregaria)
- Central American – (Schistocerca piceifrons)
- Peru Locusts (Schistocerca interrita)
- Pallid-winged grasshopper (Trimerotropis pallidipennis)
What are the Behaviors of Locusts?
The locust has three life stages: the egg, nymphs (or “hoppers”) and adults. In the nymph phase, they may have an excess of serotonin that triggers their social phase.
The rainy season begins when it returns to the area after a prolonged dry period. Nymphs and adults then change colour to darker shades with bright markings.
The locusts will then begin to attack fields, crops and other places with new vegetation. During this phase, locusts begin to mature faster and reproduce more rapidly.
They also develop greater endurance and a larger brain, allowing them to travel further as a group. In 1875, a swarm believed to contain over 1.2 billion insects was recorded.
Read also: What Do Termites Sound Like?
What Makes Up the Diet of Locusts?
- Soft foliage
- Leaves
- Grasses
- Dead grasshoppers
- Weaker members of their own species
How is the Locust Sound Made?
The sound of a locust is created by rubbing one body part against another. The species will determine whether the sound is heard at night or during the day.
This is called stridulation. It is important in attracting mates and moderating locust behaviour based on the environment.
How Does the Locust Sound Base on the Locust Group?
- Slant-faced Grasshoppers:
The slant-faced grazing grasshoppers, for example, produce sound when they rub the spikes on the inner surfaces of their hindlegs against the edge of their front wings. These grasshoppers produce a buzzing noise that is soft and muffled. - Band-winged Grasshoppers:
The band-winged grasshoppers only sing during the day and produce a loud snapping or cracking noise with their wings when they fly. The locust makes this sound when its wing membranes, between the veins, become rigid and stretched.
Read also: What Does A Crow Sound Like?
Conclusion
They prefer fields, wetlands and sparse woods. They also like places where domestic animals or crops are present. They prefer sunny, open areas with a variety of flowers and grasses.
The swarms of locusts are also difficult to stop once they start, which is why they can be a sign that farmers or anyone who relies on the land for their livelihood and profit should be concerned.
The locust sound produced by locusts depends greatly on the group of locusts involved. Thanks for reading fam!
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