A new study challenges previous models of locust swarm behavior, suggesting that locusts make cognitive decisions based on their perception of nearby motion rather than simply aligning with neighbors like gas particles.
Researchers from German and North American universities studied locust swarms in Kenya, observing that vision plays a critical role in how locusts move within a swarm. Locusts that couldn't see clearly lost their sense of direction, while those with intact vision moved with the swarm even without physical contact.
Using virtual reality experiments, the scientists found that coherence of motion, rather than crowding, controlled locust alignment. This led to a new mathematical model based on a neural ring attractor network, treating locusts as decision-making entities.
The findings mark a major shift in how scientists understand locust behavior and their ability to make swarm-related predictions. As climate change continues to alter locusts' breeding patterns, this refined understanding may be the key to protecting crops and livelihoods.
Climate change has worsened locust outbreaks by increasing rainfall in desert regions, creating ideal breeding conditions. Researchers emphasize the need for more research, involving climate scientists and vegetation experts, to make increasingly accurate predictions about locust swarms.