The Gregarization of Locusts

Nolte, Dagmar

doi:10.1111/j.1469-185x.1974.tb01296.x

Cited by 24 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…We, therefore, investigated the presence of semiochemicals in the feces of locusts in order to find putative ligands for OBP. Most of the locusts semiochemicals reported in the literature have been found in the feces of the desert locust S. gregaria (Nolte et al, 1970;Gillett, 1983Gillett, , 1988Obeng-Ofori et al, 1994).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

New isoforms of odorant‐binding proteins and potential semiochemicals of locusts

Cui

Jiang

et al. 2007

Arch Insect Biochem Physiol

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To obtain more information on the elements of chemical communication in the migratory locust (Locusta migratoria) (Orthoptera: Acrididae), we have searched for additional odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) and for volatiles in the feces that could represent potential semiochemicals for this species. A two-dimensional electrophoretic (2DE) analysis of an antennal extract showed only three closely positioned spots that were recognized by the antiserum against locust OBP. Three genes were also identified using PCR and 5'RACE-PCR approaches, encoding isoforms differing from each other for a single amino acid substitution. The gas-chromatographic-electroantennogram (GC-EAD) headspace analysis of a feces sample revealed the presence of several compounds that elicited dose-dependent electrophysiological responses in the antennae of both sexes. Most of these compounds are different from those identified in the feces of the desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria) and reported to be behaviorally active. Ligand-binding experiments performed with such volatiles and recombinant OBP did not show affinity, thus indicating that the binding pocket of OBP requires larger molecules than those so far identified.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

New isoforms of odorant‐binding proteins and potential semiochemicals of locusts

Cui

Jiang

et al. 2007

Arch Insect Biochem Physiol

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“…However, no study so far has compared recombination rates between closely related solitary and social species. In this context it is worth noting that the rate of recombination has been reported to be higher in gregarious morphs of the desert locust than in solitary morphs (Nolte, ).…”

Section: Future Research Directionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interindividual variability in social insects – proximate causes and ultimate consequences

2013

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Individuals within social groups often show consistent differences in behaviour across time and context. Such interindividual differences and the evolutionary challenge they present have recently generated considerable interest. Social insects provide some of the most familiar and spectacular examples of social groups with large interindividual differences. Investigating these within-group differences has a long research tradition, and behavioural variability among the workers of a colony is increasingly regarded as fundamental for a key feature of social insects: division of labour. The goal of this review is to illustrate what we know about both the proximate mechanisms underlying behavioural variability among the workers of a colony and its ultimate consequences; and to highlight the many open questions in this research field. We begin by reviewing the literature on mechanisms that potentially introduce, maintain, and adjust the behavioural differentiation among workers. We highlight the fact that so far, most studies have focused on behavioural variability based on genetic variability, provided by e.g. multiple mating of the queen, while other mechanisms that may be responsible for the behavioural differentiation among workers have been largely neglected. These include maturational, nutritional and environmental influences. We further discuss how feedback provided by the social environment and learning and experience of adult workers provides potent and little-explored sources of differentiation. In a second part, we address what is known about the potential benefits and costs of increased behavioural variability within the workers of a colony. We argue that all studies documenting a benefit of variability so far have done so by manipulating genetic variability, and that a direct test of the effect of behavioural variability on colony productivity has yet to be provided. We emphasize that the costs associated with interindividual variability have been largely overlooked, and that a better knowledge of the cost/benefit balance of behavioural variability is crucial for our understanding of the evolution of the mechanisms underlying the social organization of insect societies. We conclude by highlighting what we believe to be promising but little-explored avenues for future research on how within-colony variability has evolved and is maintained. We emphasize the need for comparative studies and point out that, so far, most studies on interindividual variability have focused on variability in individual response thresholds, while the significance of variability in other parameters of individual response, such as probability and intensity of the response, has been largely overlooked. We propose that these parameters have important consequences for the colony response. Much more research is needed to understand if and how interindividual variability is modulated in order to benefit division of labour, homeostasis and ultimately colony fitness in social insects.

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“…Because of its agricultural importance, the brown locust has been studied very thoroughly in terms of its life history and swarm dynamics [100]. It is a classic swarming locust, capable of expressing extreme phase characteristics in color, behavior, morphology, and physiology [5,33,43]. The phase characteristics of the brown locust were thoroughly investigated early by Faure [33], just soon after the initial formulation of the phase theory [101].…”

Section: Locust Species In the Oedipodine Tribe Locustinimentioning

confidence: 99%

Density-Dependent Phase Polyphenism in Nonmodel Locusts: A Minireview

Song

2011

Psyche: A Journal of Entomology

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Although the specific mechanisms of locust phase transformation are wellunderstood for model locust species such as the desert locustSchistocerca gregariaand the migratory locustLocusta migratoria, the expressions of density-dependent phase polyphenism in other nonmodel locust species are not wellknown. The present paper is an attempt to review and synthesize what we know about these nonmodel locusts. Based on all available data, I find that locust phase polyphenism is expressed in many different ways in different locust species and identify a pattern that locust species often belong to large taxonomic groups which contain mostly nonswarming grasshopper species. Although locust phase polyphenism has evolved multiple times within Acrididae, I argue that its evolution should be studied from a phylogenetic perspective because I find similar density-dependent phenotypic plasticity among closely related species. Finally, I emphasize the importance of comparative analyses in understanding the evolution of locust phase and propose a phylogeny-based research framework.

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The Gregarization of Locusts

Cited by 24 publications

References 25 publications

New isoforms of odorant‐binding proteins and potential semiochemicals of locusts

New isoforms of odorant‐binding proteins and potential semiochemicals of locusts

Interindividual variability in social insects – proximate causes and ultimate consequences

Density-Dependent Phase Polyphenism in Nonmodel Locusts: A Minireview

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