Biological control of locusts and grasshoppers: A review

By

Yasin, Muhammad
Khan, Amna
Qayyum, Mirza Abdul
Yousuf, Hafiz Muhammad Bilal
Mehfooz, Areej
Hunter, David

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2024-11-5

Original Publication

Journal of orthoptera research : JOR

Volume

33

Series / Issue

Issue: 2

Pages

289--304

Subjects

Agricultural pests , Entomopathogens , integrated pest management , invasion , natural enemies , recession

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Philadelphia, Penn Orthopterists' Society 1992-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/jor.33.114472

 

Abstract

Locusts and grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae) are pests of agricultural importance, devastating crops and pastures. This group includes hundreds of pest species and affects the livelihoods of one in every ten people worldwide. Their outbreaks can be chronic or episodic, with alternating periods of invasion and recession. Here, we review the natural enemies of locusts and grasshoppers in both their native and invaded ranges across the globe to assess the need for their conservation and maintenance as part of the natural suppression of outbreaks and to augment outbreak suppression as potential biological control agents. More than 70 natural enemies have been reported to attack locusts and grasshoppers, including entomopathogenic fungi, bacteria, nematodes, predatory insects, birds, reptiles, and mammals. Particular attention is given to the well-studied species of locusts and grasshoppers for which more information is available and to natural enemies in the locust-affected countries as part of the recent trend of looking for indigenous natural enemies. Such organisms can play a vital role in integrated pest management strategies for locusts and grasshoppers, particularly entomopathogens that can be incorporated with chemical pesticides into the management system. Among the organisms considered, Metarhizium acridum is noteworthy for inclusion in integrated pest management programs.