Desert Locust Invasions its Aftermath and Myth of its Existence: A Review

Abstract

The insects are the primitive inhabitants of our universe earlier than the start of mankind they are very adaptable in nature due to which they can exist right from the low to the earth to hill tops desert and arid areas as well. Insects may be classified into many categories among them some are beneficial for mankind while other inflict heavy loses to nature and mankind due to their harmful nature. Desert locust is one which is very dangerous for mankind and natural environment. Desert locusts highly have migrator nature, polymorphism and its feeding protocol is very voracious. They form swarms (adults’ congregations) very risky and hopper land (nymphal congregation) due to which when attack they erode natural and cultivated vegetation and play to havoc to nature and mankind which tantamount in food shortage, fodder facility for animals. They are the sleeping giant and can wake up and any time subject to favorable conditions. The invasion area of desert locust consists of 30 million square kilometers which includes Iran, Gulf Region, Afghanistan, Africa, Middle East, and Indian sub-continent. During recession period locust occurs in low densities and they live in a broad belt of arid and semi-arid land stretched from Atlantic to Gulf regions (United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen, Saudi Arabia), and northwest India covering over 16 million square kilometers covering around 30 countries. Desert locusts migrate to survive is arid environment it is neither due to hunger nor fleeing their cannibalistic peers force these insects to migrate. This migratory behavior of these insects is due to long evolution, which enables them to revive in desert environment, where food plant production occurs due to favorable rains which entail in excellent atmosphere for these locusts.