Scientists have discovered an “anti-cannibalism” pheromone used by locusts to protect themselves in dense swarms. This discovery raises the possibility of using a similar chemical as a non-toxic insecticide, which could pave the way for novel pest control strategies. Locust plagues are estimated to affect the livelihood of one in 10 people on the planet and discovering a chemical signal that inhibits cannibalism offers a means to control swarm movements. The latest work, published in Science, shows that locusts release a pheromone called phenylacetonitrile (PAN), which keeps cannibalism in check, potentially allowing the swarm to become larger and sustain itself for longer. The implications of this discovery are significant, and it may allow the development of control agents that target molecular pathways specific to plague locusts.
