For many years, locusts, a dozen species of grasshoppers, have caused untold anguish to mankind.The mostly-used control methods for locust outbreaks, based on the use of synthetic insecticides, are extremely expensive. In addition, the large amounts of non-specific toxicants that are sprayed over affected areas destroy the environment and threatening biodiversity.icipe’s overall objective has been to develop components of a preventive, eco-friendly and cost-effective locust control system, based on bio-rational, semiochemical-based control tools and tactics.

Desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria swarm on shrub tree. Photo courtesy of Saliou Niassy, icipe.