Emerging Strategies to Combat Locust Outbreaks

Locusts (Orthoptera: Acrididae) are historically proven insect pests of agricultural crops growing around the globe. Their management is crucial to food security throughout the world that needs governmental/international participation. Locusts exhibit solitary phase at low population density and gregarious phase at high population density. Gregarious hoppers gather and march in dense bands, and adults swarm in large numbers to long distances causing huge damage to various major and minor crops, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, and cereals across the globe. This damage to vegetation results in great economic losses. Several conventional methods have been employed for the management of locust outbreaks. However, these methods are expensive, less effective, and of short-term use. Furthermore, the use of insecticides poses threat to the natural enemies of locusts 62as well as to the useful insects with eco-friendly roles. Therefore, novel, cost-effective, and eco-friendly strategies with long-term efficiency are urgently required. These strategies include remote sensing, use of latest monitoring technologies, biological control, biorational control, insect growth regulators, genetic control, integrated pest management, etc. Additionally, public participation, the establishment of regional organizations, national and international cooperation, legislation, and economic funds are also necessary to attain the desired outcomes.