Scientists Identify Chemical that Causes Locusts to Swarm
2020-08-19
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1Scientists say they have identified a chemical released by locusts that causes the insects to join together in huge swarms.
2On their own, locusts are mostly harmless.
3But in large swarms, they can be extremely destructive.
4The new finding could lead to new methods to prevent locusts from joining groups to destroy huge areas of crops.
5A recent study published in Nature identifies a pheromone believed to be responsible for the insect's swarming behavior.
6A pheromone is a chemical substance produced by an animal that influences the behavior of another animal of the same kind.
7The pheromone, known as 4VA, was found in the world's most widespread kind of locust, the migratory locust.
8The chemical is released from the insect's back legs and is sensed by the antennae of other locusts.
9The pheromone powerfully drew locusts of both sexes and all ages, the research found.
10The chemical was produced when as few as four to five locusts came together.
11Swarms can grow to billions of locusts and cover hundreds of square kilometers.
12Migratory locusts are found in Asia, Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
13They attack crops including wheat, rice, corn, oats and sugarcane.
14Such invasions can lead to major food shortages.
15Lead researcher Le Kang is with the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Zoology.
16He told Reuters news agency that migratory locusts are so widespread and dangerous, they represent "a serious threat to agriculture worldwide."
17Kang said further research will be needed to find out if 4VA exists in other species, such as the desert locust.
18This locust is currently destroying crops in Africa and the Middle East.
19Chemical substances commonly used to break up locust swarms raise concerns for human health and safety.
20The identification of 4VA could lead to new control methods.
21Kang said a chemical could be developed to block 4VA's effects to prevent swarming.
22A manmade version of the pheromone might also be developed to lure locusts into traps to be killed.
23Locusts could also be developed with genetic changes that would not react to 4VA, Kang added.
24Such locusts could be released to establish wild non-swarming populations.
25Leslie Vosshall is head of Rockefeller University's Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Behavior in New York.
26She said one of the most exciting developments would be finding a chemical that could block the reception of 4VA.
27The discovery of such a molecule could provide a chemical to prevent swarms of the insects and "cause locusts to 'stand down' and return to their peaceful, solitary way of life," she wrote in a Nature article about the study.
28Vosshall noted that there are still several unknowns about the research.
29These include whether 4VA is the only cause of swarm formation, and whether other locust species respond similarly to the compound.
30I'm Bryan Lynn.
1Scientists say they have identified a chemical released by locusts that causes the insects to join together in huge swarms. 2On their own, locusts are mostly harmless. But in large swarms, they can be extremely destructive. The new finding could lead to new methods to prevent locusts from joining groups to destroy huge areas of crops. 3A recent study published in Nature identifies a pheromone believed to be responsible for the insect's swarming behavior. A pheromone is a chemical substance produced by an animal that influences the behavior of another animal of the same kind. 4The pheromone, known as 4VA, was found in the world's most widespread kind of locust, the migratory locust. The chemical is released from the insect's back legs and is sensed by the antennae of other locusts. 5The pheromone powerfully drew locusts of both sexes and all ages, the research found. The chemical was produced when as few as four to five locusts came together. 6Swarms can grow to billions of locusts and cover hundreds of square kilometers. Migratory locusts are found in Asia, Africa, Australia and New Zealand. They attack crops including wheat, rice, corn, oats and sugarcane. Such invasions can lead to major food shortages. 7Lead researcher Le Kang is with the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Zoology. He told Reuters news agency that migratory locusts are so widespread and dangerous, they represent "a serious threat to agriculture worldwide." 8Kang said further research will be needed to find out if 4VA exists in other species, such as the desert locust. This locust is currently destroying crops in Africa and the Middle East. 9Chemical substances commonly used to break up locust swarms raise concerns for human health and safety. The identification of 4VA could lead to new control methods. 10Kang said a chemical could be developed to block 4VA's effects to prevent swarming. A manmade version of the pheromone might also be developed to lure locusts into traps to be killed. 11Locusts could also be developed with genetic changes that would not react to 4VA, Kang added. Such locusts could be released to establish wild non-swarming populations. 12Leslie Vosshall is head of Rockefeller University's Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Behavior in New York. She said one of the most exciting developments would be finding a chemical that could block the reception of 4VA. 13The discovery of such a molecule could provide a chemical to prevent swarms of the insects and "cause locusts to 'stand down' and return to their peaceful, solitary way of life," she wrote in a Nature article about the study. 14Vosshall noted that there are still several unknowns about the research. These include whether 4VA is the only cause of swarm formation, and whether other locust species respond similarly to the compound. 15I'm Bryan Lynn. 16Reuters and Agence France-Presse reported on this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the reports for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter, Jr. was the editor. 17We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. 18________________________________________________________________ 19Words in This Story 20swarm - n. a very large number of insects moving together 21migratory - adj. moving from place to place at different times of the year 22antenna - n. a thin, sensitive organ on the head of an insect, crab or similar animal 23species - n. a group of animals or plants that are similar and can produce off spring 24lure - v. to cause a person or animal to go somewhere 25solitary - adj. alone, separated from people