"When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world."
~ John Muir
Introduction
Locust migration or "plagues" as they are commonly called have been a part of the
natural world for millennia. As they naturally occur in grassy landscapes, their
presence has often created difficulties for agriculture. However locusts are also
important wildlife species and should not be viewed only as pests. The question
has always been, "how do we most efficiently get rid of these pests?" rather than
stepping back and considering their place in the ecosystem.
Locust migrations are a natural ecological event; they have a profound influence
on the function of ecosystems, not dissimilar to climatic events in their effects
over a large area. This is especially true in endangered grassland ecosystems in
Australia where cycles of drought, flood, fire and locusts would have shaped the
evolution of the environment as we see it.
Whilst locust swarms may seem abundant and impossible to destroy, this is not the
case. The American
Rocky Mountains Locust - went from "plaguing" to extinct in a matter of
decades. Australian Plague locust (Chortoicetes terminifera) swarms have
been dramatically reduced in frequency and extent in modern times. This may seem
like a triumph to some, but to the more ecologically minded, it should be serious
cause for concern.
There needs to be a balanced view where environmentally sustainable methods of living with locusts are investigated. Yes,
there will continue to be some crop damage in the event of a "plague", but the environmental
benefits that such a "plague" brings need to be considered.
The aim of this website is to raise awareness of the role locusts play in the environment
and to encourage people to move away from the attitude of fear of locust swarms.
It also seeks to stimulate interest in such management solutions as will enable
locust swarms to provide environmental benefits whilst permitting the survival of
sustainable agricultural practices at the same time.
Recent additions to this site.
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