BIO-CONTROL METHODS
At present, there are three major contenders. One is the spores of fungus
When it falls on the locust, it germinates and penetrates the body of the insect. It then kills the insect both by expanding its filaments and releasing toxins on the insect. Some 70 to 90 per cent of the locust treated with it die within 14 to 20 days. In 2009. FAO recommended the use of Green Muscle™, a biopesticide by the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture. This year, FAO has ordered 4 tonnes of it to treat 80,000 ha in Somalia. The fungus has also been used in China, Australia, Brazil and African nations like Tanzania.
Locust pheromone, phenylacetonitrile, can also be used to control the swarms. It governs swarming behaviour in adult males who use it to warn other males to leave them in peace while they mate. When a minute dose is used on juvenile
1993: THE LAST MAJOR LOCUST OUTBREAK, WHEN 172 INVASIONS WERE NOTED. FOLLOWING THIS, LOCUST OUTBREAKS HAPPENED IN 1997, 2005, 2010 AND 2015 AS WELL, BUT THE INTENSITY WAS MILD
hoppers, it instructs them to resume solitary behaviour. However, it is being experimented. It has been found exposure to this chemical confuses the insects who often show cannibalistic behaviour.
Then we have chemicals that work as insect growth regulators (IGRs) that hinders the ability of hoppers to moult and grow properly. Ingredients of the neem tree come in this category. Its chemicals are similar to the shape and structure of locust’s own hormones. When a locust’s body absorbs neem compounds, these block its endocrine system and affect its behaviour and physiology. They fail to reproduce and their populations plummets. Lab experiments show neem oil can also induce “solitarisation” among them. As neem trees grow well in locust affected areas, the oil required to control the swarm can be locally produced.
There are very few takers for these methods despite proven effectiveness and low cost. Locusts attacks are only going to increase with changing climate. It's time we got our ammunition right.