FIRST CAPTURES OF THE MIGRATORY LOCUST, LOCUSTA MIGRATORIA L., AT LIGHT‐TRAPS AND THEIR ECOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Abstract

Records of the migratory locust from specially designed light traps provide the first demonstration, known to the author, of systematic catches of the tropical race of this species in light traps. Variations in the catches between 1973 and 1976 are related to population changes in the field and suggest that population displacement at night can be monitored in relation to synoptic weather by means of a network of such traps. A comparison is made between the catches of migratory locust with those of the plague and spur‐throated locust and reflects changes in the plague status of these three species. Copyright © 1977, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved