Ecology and Population Dynamics of Solitary Red Locusts in Southern Madagascar

Lecoq, Michel; Andriamaroahina, Tsitohaina R.Z.; Solofonaina, Hardy; Gay, Pierre‐Emmanuel

doi:10.1665/034.020.0202

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 26 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The frequency of the migratory flights is also unknown, although it might be high according to reports on the migratory locust (Davey , ; Farrow ; Lecoq ), and the red locust Nomadacris septemfasciata (Lecoq et al . ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Demographic processes shaping genetic variation of the solitarious phase of the desert locust

et al. 2014

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Between plagues, the solitarious desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria) is generally thought to exist as small populations, which are particularly prone to extinction events in arid regions of Africa and Asia. Given the high genetic structuring observed in one geographical area (the Eritrean coast) by former authors, a metapopulation dynamics model involving repeated extinction and colonization events was favoured. In this study, we assessed the validity of a demographic scenario involving temporary populations of the solitarious phase of the desert locust by analysing large-scale population genetic data. We scored 24 microsatellites in 23 solitarious population samples collected over most of the species range during remission. We found very little genetic structuring and little evidence of declining genetic diversity. A Bayesian clustering method distinguished four genetically differentiated units. Three groups were largely consistent with three population samples which had undergone recent bottleneck events. Nevertheless, the last genetically homogeneous unit included all individuals from the remaining 18 population samples and did not show evidence of demographic disequilibrium. An approximate Bayesian computation treatment indicated a large population size for this main genetic group, moderately reduced between plague and remission but still containing tens of thousands of individuals. Our results diverge from the hypothesis of a classical metapopulation dynamics model. They instead support the scenario in which large populations persist in the solitarious phase of the desert locust.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Demographic processes shaping genetic variation of the solitarious phase of the desert locust

et al. 2014

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In Madagascar, the south and southwest regions have for decades had locust outbreaks that have devastated crop fields (Lecoq et al, 2011). The locust species dominant in this area are the red locust (Nomadacris septemfasciata) and the Migratory Locust (Locusta migratoria capito), both of which have geographically restricted outbreaks (Magor et al, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predation Impact of Cattle Egret (Bubulcus Ibis) on Migratory Locust (Locusta Migratoria Capito) and Red Locust (Nomadacris Septemfasciata) in South and Southwest Regions of Madagascar

ANDIATSIREVOMBOLA¹

2016

Appl Ecol Env Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. Locust outbreaks in Madagascar cause economic damage, and biological control is an environment friendly option. This paper determined the predation values of Bubulcus ibis bird species as a measure that could contribute to an effective locust outbreak preventive control strategy. The study was conducted in the south and southwest regions of Madagascar that are heavily infested by red locust (Nomadacris septemfasciata) and the Migratory Locust (Locusta migratoria capito). Three types of experiments were done that included observed predation, potential predation and pecking frequency. The observed predation was 19 locusts per day in the outbreak period higher than recession period with a value of 3 locusts per day. The experimental predation was 54 locusts per day, and was higher than the observed predation in the outbreak period. The highest pecking frequencies were observed in Isoanala (mean = 20.34) followed by Bekily (mean = 8.34) and Tulear (mean = 5.75). The observations from Bekily and Tulear were significantly different (t (56) = 2.49, p = 0.000), because of vegetation type. In Tulear the vegetation was bushy and thick, which provided canopy for the locust unlike the savannah environment in Bekily. The use of birds in prevention of locust outbreak during recession was found to be interfered by other insects that were fed on by birds. Thus locusts can best be controlled by birds when their population increases in an outbreak. However, there is a need to assess the population of birds to determine if they were enough to predate on a locust outbreak.

show abstract

“…The low crop yields in Madagascar, a poor African country, have been attributed to many factors that include loss of soil fertility, poor farming practices, climate change and use of unimproved crop varieties. However in South and Southwest regions of Madagascar, which are heavily infested by locusts, the most important factor leading to low yields is insects (Lecoq et al, 2011) [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In Madagascar, the South and Southwest regions have for decades had locust outbreaks that have devastated crop fields (Lecoq et al, 2011) [3]. The locust species dominant in this area are the red locust (Nomadacris septemfasciata) and the Migratory Locust (Locusta migratoria capito), both of which have geographically restricted outbreaks (African Development Bank, 2001 [4]; Magor et al, 2008 [5]).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predation Capability of Black Kite (<i>Milvus migrans parasitus</i>) on Locust as a Biological Control Option in Madagascar

Andriatsirevombola¹,

Ge²,

Raholijaona³

2016

OJE

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In Madagascar, the South and Southwest regions have for decades had locust outbreaks that have devastated crop fields. The locust species dominant in this area are the red locust (Nomadacris septemfasciata) and the Migratory Locust (Locusta migratoria capito). This paper aimed at determining the predation values from the Black Kite (Milvus migrans parasitus), a natural enemy for locusts, as a biological measure for locust outbreak control. Two types of experiments were done that included observed predation and experimental predation. It was observed, in the observed predation, that a higher number of locusts were found in the bird's stomach during the afternoon session (mean = 66) than during the morning session (mean = 21). The high peak observed during the afternoon session was also associated with the feeding of larvae of the migratory locust. The experimental predation results showed that almost 100 percent of the larval and 97 percent of the fledglings were fed on. The experimental predation results also showed that there was no preference for larvae or fledglings in the cage and that the bird fed on the different combinations equally. This study showed that the Black Kite birds can effectively control locust population in an outbreak when they are easy to predate on. However, there is a need to assess the population of birds in locust infested areas to determine if the bird population is enough to predate on a locust outbreak.

show abstract

Ecology and Population Dynamics of Solitary Red Locusts in Southern Madagascar

Abstract: BioOne Complete (complete.BioOne.org) is a full-text database of 200 subscribed and open-access titles in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences published by nonprofit societies, associations, museums, institutions, and presses.

Cited by 6 publications

References 26 publications

Demographic processes shaping genetic variation of the solitarious phase of the desert locust

Demographic processes shaping genetic variation of the solitarious phase of the desert locust

Predation Impact of Cattle Egret (Bubulcus Ibis) on Migratory Locust (Locusta Migratoria Capito) and Red Locust (Nomadacris Septemfasciata) in South and Southwest Regions of Madagascar

Predation Capability of Black Kite (<i>Milvus migrans parasitus</i>) on Locust as a Biological Control Option in Madagascar

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

Ecology and Population Dynamics of Solitary Red Locusts in Southern Madagascar

Abstract: BioOne Complete (complete.BioOne.org) is a full-text database of 200 subscribed and open-access titles in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences published by nonprofit societies, associations, museums, institutions, and presses.

Cited by 6 publications

References 26 publications

Demographic processes shaping genetic variation of the solitarious phase of the desert locust

Demographic processes shaping genetic variation of the solitarious phase of the desert locust

Predation Impact of Cattle Egret (Bubulcus Ibis) on Migratory Locust (Locusta Migratoria Capito) and Red Locust (Nomadacris Septemfasciata) in South and Southwest Regions of Madagascar

Predation Capability of Black Kite (&lt;i&gt;Milvus migrans parasitus&lt;/i&gt;) on Locust as a Biological Control Option in Madagascar

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

Predation Capability of Black Kite (<i>Milvus migrans parasitus</i>) on Locust as a Biological Control Option in Madagascar