Desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria Forskal) and its management: A review

Abstract

The desert locust [Schistocerca gregaria (Forskal)] (Orthoptera: Acrididae) is one of the world’s most dangerous and destructive migratory pests. It is a highly voracious and polyphagous insect. Its swarms can travel hundreds of kilometers per day and infest areas covering millions of square kilometers, resulting in substantial crop losses. We synthesize published research data and reports on the life cycle, behavior, phases, and damage of the desert locust, as well as its possible management practices, in this study. There are diffi-culties involved in estimating locust populations because locust swarms are highly mobile. Cultural control, baiting, dusting with insecticide, and spraying liquid insecticides (chemical or biological) using ultra-low volume (ULV) application are all options for control-ling locust swarms. Improved knowledge on pest biology, as well as more efficient monitoring and control strategies, are essential com-ponents of an effective management strategy.