Life Table of the Migratory Locust (Locusta migratoria L.) on Different Host Plants

Abstract

The migratory locust (Locusta migratoria L.) is an important agricultural pest and has a broad host range, including various Gramineae plants, such as maize, rice, sorghum, barley, grasses, bamboo leaves, and several other types of plants. Due to the variety of existing plants in an area, understanding how different host plants affect migratory locust may provide insight into the population dynamic of this insects. This information may reveal susceptible phases for pest management. This study was designed to compile and to measure demographic parameters of the migratory locust on different types of host plants. The results showed that, locust migratory developed the fastest when fed with maize and the longest life span of imago was 131.00 days (males) and 122.33 days (females).Demographic parameters of migratory locust showed the highest number (G = 17.67 and R₀ = 13.57 female individuals). At all stage of life and demographic parameters, locust fed with corn leaf showed that it was a suitable host plant for the development of locusts.This information may imply that continuous planting of maize may possess the risk of the migratory locust to develop rapidly. Therefore, diversification might be needed to suppress locust growth.