How Locusts Evolved to Swarm

The ability to change behaviour as a response to a change in population density is at the core of what defined a locust. Locusts are grasshoppers that can form dense migrating swarms through an extreme form of density-dependent phenotypic plasticity, known as locust phase polyphenism. They devour crops and leave serious agricultural damage in their wake. This mini nature documentary describes how this swarming behaviour may have evolved in these creatures.

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Credits:
All music in this video was created by Scott Buckley and used under a creative commons license.

References:
Song H, et al. Sci Rep. Phylogeny of locusts and grasshoppers reveals complex evolution of density-dependent phenotypic plasticity. 2017;7(1):6606.
Guttal V, et al. Cannibalism can drive the evolution of behavioural phase polyphenism in locusts. Ecol Lett. 2012;15(10):1158-66.
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