Aug 2, 2009
What Do Locusts Want?
Most of the time, desert locusts live a solitary existence. But when they experience a sudden spike in serotonin, a neurotransmitter found in all animals, it’s time to swarm! Scientists at the University of Oxford recently found a close connection between the levels of serotonin in
the insects’ bodies and how
sociable they became.
"Locusts switch into swarm behavior based on two cues: when they see and
smell other locusts for an extended period or when their hind legs are
constantly jostled."
Just so you know: when locusts are green (above) they are feeling mellow, when dark-colored they are ready to party.
Photo by Tim Fayle
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