Most of the time, desert locusts live a solitary existence. But when they experience a sudden spike in serotonin, a neurotransmitter found in all animals, it's time to swarm! Scientists at the University of Oxford recently found a close connection between the levels of serotonin in
the insects' bodies and how
sociable they became.
the insects' bodies and how
sociable they became.
"Locusts switch into swarm behavior based on two cues: when they see and
smell other locusts for an extended period or when their hind legs are
constantly jostled."
Just so you know: when locusts are green (above) they are feeling mellow, when dark-colored they are ready to party.
Photo by Tim Fayle
From the Upcoming ueue, submitted by Marilyn Terrell.
When I search locusts, like the one pictured here, I find what people in my area have always called grasshoppers. What people in my area refer to as locusts (the ones that swarm every 7 years), seem to be cicadas. I suppose they're all closely related? I'm researching, but I'd appreciate if anyone knows the answer.