FIELD ECOLOGY STUDIES

ON MIGRATORY LOCUST

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
 Bonifacio F. Cayabyab
Project Leader
National Crop Protection Center
Crop Protection Cluster
UP Los Baños, College Laguna

Dominador Canlas
Study Leader
DA Region III
San Fernando, Pampanga

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension, UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
IMPLEMENTING AGENCY : NCPC-CPC-UPLB

COOPERATING AGENCIES : College, Los Baños, Laguna

DA – Region III
San Fernando, Pampanga
LGU’s

DURATION : 1996-1998

FUNDING AGENCY : PCARRD-DOST

Los Baños, Laguna

TOTAL BUDGET : P 508,708.92

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
 INTRODUCTION

Locust infestation started in 1992 in Central

Luzon where ash and lahar covered environment
promoted the concentration of incipient locust
populations. The site where swarms originated was
called the outbreak area. The suspected outbreak
area in Central Luzon was the mountainous vicinity
of Cawag, Subic, Zambales (Mt. Redondo). This
area was adjacent to the Zambales – Tarlac –
Pangasinan mountain range which was identified as
a permanent breeding area of locust.

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
Mt Redondo, Cawag Subic, Zambales the suspected outbreak
area of migratory locust in Central Luzon (white specks at
the foreground at right are adult flyers)

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
 OBJECTIVES

• To study the biometrics and morphology of solitary

and gregarious locust individuals of both sexes.

• To observe and measure rates of development of

different life stages of locust in the field.

• To investigate the possible environmental and other

factors that influence population development and
shift from solitary to migratory phases.

• To study the ecology of breeding sites of locust.

• To observe and understand the aggregation process,

swarm formation and flight pattern of locust.

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
 METHODS

Biometrics and Morphology of Locust

The biometrics and morphology of solitary

and gregarious locusts individuals of both sexes
were studied. These will aid in the unambiguous
recognition of locust phases in the field. Thus, the
different phases of locust were observed closely
to record the peculiarities of each and relate
morphometrics data with migration.

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
Life Stages Development

Observation and measurement of rates of

development of different life stages of locust in the
field were done. The following were determined:
oviposition, emergence, natural mortality, nymphal
development, adult longevity and fecundity.

The possible environmental and other factors

that influenced population development and shift from
solitary to migratory phases were investigated. These
involved both laboratory and field observations on the
effect of temperature and humidity and correlate
locust outbreaks with meteorological data before and
during outbreaks.

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
Field Ecological Factors Affecting Population
Development

The ecology of breeding sites of locust was

also observed. Analysis of floral and faunal structure
associated with locust, terrain, soil type and
composition, and changes occurring in the breeding
sites due to season were noted.

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
 RESULTS

Biometrics and Morphology of Locust

The solitary and migratory forms

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
Morphometrics of solitary and migratory locust*

PHASES*
Solitary Migratory
Body Parts
Male Female Male Female
(mm)
Head 6.23 7.43 6.50 7.02
Femur 21.01 26.16 20.67 21.58
Elytron 41.85 51.60 43.29 46.51

* Data taken from 49 males and 51 females solitary locust and 132 males and 91
females migratory locust from Anonas, Floridablanca, Pampanga

The migratory forms have relatively shorter body

parts in preparation for flight as compared to the
solitary forms .

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
Development of Different Life Stages in the Field

The migratory locust have three development

stages namely; egg (ovum), nymph (hopper) and adult
(flyer).

Migratory locust eggs (ova) Migratory locust egg field (holes indicate
female abdominal probes for egg laying)

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
Egg (Ovum)

Banana shape, approximately 8 mm long, yellow

– orange in appearance arranged in 30-80 eggs per pod.
Eggs were laid at a depth of 3-6 cm below sandy or
sandy loam soil . Around 5 pods can be laid by a gravid
female in the duration of its life. Eggs hatched from 14-
18 days depending on the type of soil where they were
oviposited.

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
 Migratory locust egg pod on peanut and talahib

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
Nymph (Hopper)

There were five nymphal instars or stages.

Ecdysis, which is the act of molting or shedding of outer
cuticular layer or “skin” can last up to seven (7) minutes.
The color transformation from creamy white to black is
about 50 minutes.

1st instar - 6 days

2nd instar - 6 days
3rd instar - 6 days
4th instar - 7 days
5th instar - 8 days
33 days

These developmental figures in days were very close to

the findings of Camus (1921). Morphologically, the first to
the third instars have tiny wings pads.

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
 1st instar nymph of migratory locust

First to the fifth nymphal instars

Nymphs/hoppers that are separated from the main
hopper band turned to green solitary color while others
turn to brown, the intermediate form’s color.

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
Fledges

These are newly emerged adults or flyers

from the last nymphal stage (5th instar). They
move out of the feeding/breeding areas
within 3 days after molting. This is a
propitious time to spray insecticides to arrest
flight later.

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
Adult (Flyer)

The adult form becomes sexually mature

within 10 days. Courtship, paring and mating
occurred on the ground. The adult male
migratory locust cannot distinguish the live from
the dead female. Egg laying commenced one
week after mating. The adults can live from 50-
80 days.

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
Mating migratory locust on invaded sugarcane
fields (male-yellow; female brown)

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
The Pigmentation (Color) of Solitary and
Migratory Locust

The solitary locust were green for both

sexes, the intermediate forms were light brown
and the migratory forms are brown for female
and yellow for male (Table 3). Green solitary
adults took ten (10) days to change into
migratory forms color.
The pigmentation of solitary and migratory locust
Sex
Phase Female Male
Migratory Brown Yellow
Intermediate Brown Brown
Solitary Green Green
Intermediate Light brown Light brown

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
The Natural Enemies of Migratory Locust

Insectivorous birds, known locally as “pirpiriw”,

purok-purok, parik-parik, parek-parek, Merops sp. prey
on locust. They have the ability to make nest holes even
in stony/rocky hills. Their usual habitat was on sandy
hills or sandy promontories near the rivers and creeks of
the breeding and invaded areas.

The layang-layang or balinsasayao, Hirundo tahitica

abboti (Oberholser) was the predominant predator in
invaded sugar cane fields.

Red ants, Solenopsis geminata rufa (Jerdon),

attacked newly molted hoppers and fledges that fall from
their perches.

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
 Cane toads, Bufo marinus L. were the numerous
ground predators in invaded areas such as sugar
cane fields. An adult toad can accommodate three
adult flyers in its stomach.

Three generations of adult migratory locust

were observed in San Narciso, Zambales from
December 1996 – May 1997. Only the third
generation showed the presence of a Podapolypid
parasytic mites.

A Podapolypid mite on the thoraxic wings of a migratory locust

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
 Human beings were the number one predators
since they feast on migratory locust for food source.

The Oribatid spider, Argiope catenulata Doleschall

a web spider traps adult locusts in “talahib” areas.
Other predators noted in the field were chicken,
praying manthis, tuko, field and house lizards.

The oribatid spider, (Argiope catenulata rufa

Jerdon with trapped adult migratory locust.

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
Other Field Observations

Migratory locust were extremely sensitive to

noise or disturbance during paring and courtship.
Disturbed migratory locusts do not mate at daytime.
Instead they commence mating from dusk (6:00 pm)
to dawn (5:00 am).

There was 1:1 ratio between the male and female

migratory locust in the invaded areas.

Smaller rice grass hoppers , Oxya hyla intricata

Stal congregate in areas where migratory locust
are present. The presence of this species in unusual
number could indicate that the locusts were in the
vicinity.

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
 Oxya hyla intricata Stal

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
Field Ecological Factors Affecting Population
Development

Cause of Locust Population Outbreak

Studies made by Uichanco (1936; 1939) have

shown that outbreaks of locust occurred after periods
of drought or below average rainfall. During such
periods, vegetation becomes sparse so that locusts
tend to aggregate in patches of edible grasses. The
crowded condition promotes the transformation of
locusts from solitary to gregarious phase through
mutual stimulation. Crowding also elevates the rate of
mating and reproduction. More than one generation
was needed to complete gregarization (Kennedy, 1956).

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
 The eruption of Mount Pinatubo in June 1991 has
a profound effect on the locusts in these zones. Volcanic
ash fell over vast areas around the volcano, covering the
vegetation completely. Deposition of volcanic debris
therefore eliminated wide areas suitable for breeding.
This condition may have forced the surviving locusts to
congregate in the remaining tracts of land where feeding
and breeding is possible. This situation could have
continued in the succeeding generations until the
observed gregarious band of hoppers in July 1992. Our
field investigation in and around Mt. Pinatubo clarified the
previous belief that the locust breeds in this volcano.
The surrounding area was full of gravel and oozes with
hot steam and smoke even five years after its eruption.
Thus, locust cannot lay eggs in this desolate and
inhospitable environment.

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
 Volcanic debris and ash fall at Mt. Pinatubo, San Marcelino, Zambales

Nevertheless,the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo may

have promoted the complete gregarization of locusts at
Cawag, Subic, Zambales resulting to the outbreak.
Waning of the El Niño phenomenon may have also helped
in the process by providing favorable environmental
conditions such as rainfall for sustained locust
reproduction. The data on rainfall and temperature before
and after the eruption provide ample evidence about this
fact.

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research
and Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
Soil analysis of locust outbreak area and secondary breeding/infested areas.

pH OM N P K

% ppm
Cawag, Subic, 6.0 .57 .03 52.63 .09
Zambales*
Pasbul, Porac, 5.7 .68 .02 103.31 .12
Pampanga**
Mayantoc, Tarlac*** 5.1 3.31 .17 7.02 .45
Dinalupihan, Bataan*** 5.3 4.72 .31 59.65 .87

* Outbreak area
** Breeding area in Pampanga
*** Infested Areas

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
 Sugarcane field at Peanut field in Mangatarem,
Concepcion Tarlac Pangasinan

A hill at San Narciso, Zambales Newly prepared sugarcane

Field at Porac, Pampanga

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research
and Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
Rainfall and Temperature Patterns

There was low precipitation in 1991(122.59

mm) and in 1992(105.02 mm) followed by a very wet
year in 1993(282.09) in the outbreak area. There
was also a hotter temperature in the vicinity of Mt.
Pinatubo due to semi-arid condition and lack of
vegetation. This dry and hot condition and
subsequent wet year that followed could have
triggered aggregation/gregarization of migratory
locust followed by rapid multiplication that finally
led to migration.

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
 Soil temperature in the breeding
area during the hot months of April-May
ranged from 23°C-35°C. These values were
very close to the temperature in the
outbreak and breeding areas before and
after the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo which
ranged from 31°C-33°C from 1990-1993.

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
Locust Movement/Recurrence

The northeast wind drives back

migratory locust from the plains to the breeding
sites in Zambales from November – February
(amihan). This remnant populations from the
plains and those that were present in the
breeding sites mate and reproduce during the
months of March-May due to the availability of
food. The southwest wind (habagat) during the
monsoon months of June onwards drives down
the migrating population later to the lowlands of
Central Luzon and Pangasinan .

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
The Breeding Areas in Zambales

The continued presence of locust in Zambales

breeding areas was due to the numerous rivers, creeks
and tributaries that favor the growth and development
of locust food plants in the area . The following were
the vital river systems and creeks that sustain
migratory locust reproduction in the breeding areas.

Rivers and creeks in the breeding areas that provide moisture for
egg laying and supply of host plants.

BREADING SITE RIVERS AND CREEKS

Mt. Pimayong, San Narciso, Sta. Fe River, Macolcol River, Sto
Zambales Tomas River and unnamed creek at
300 meters elevation
Mt. Paete, San Narciso, Zambales Kakilingan River, Sta Fe River and
Barisbis Creek
Mt. Quimalogong, San Felipe, Kakilingan River, Gabor River, and
Zambales Gorongoro River

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research
and Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
Some river systems and mountainous breeding areas in Zambales

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
Formation of gregarization and subsequent migration

Dispersed patches of migratory locust nymph

populations were present in wide expanses of talahib
(S. spontaneum) and other grasses during the
summer breeding period. They eventually aggregate
at the end of nymphal period. Each distinct groupings
were near each other or they may come together
during gregarization in the vicinity of the breeding
areas .At other times the process of gregarization
was disrupted by non stop rain as what we observed
at Carusucan, Asingan, Pangasinan swarm formation.

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
 Migratory locust on talahib, Sacharum spontaneum Linn.

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
Flora Attacked by Migratory Locust

Plants attacked by locust are not limited to

grasses. The dominant species eaten by locust in the
outbreak area was Themeda gigantea ( Cav.) Hack .

Themeda gigantea (Cav. ) Hack, the dominant weed at

Mt. Redondo, Cawag, Sbic, Zambales

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
 Some common grasses in the breeding areas of Zambales
Cawag Valley Umaya Marshes Umaya Mt.
Cawag, Subic Umaya, San Highland Pimmayong
Narciso Umaya, San Sta Fe, San
Narciso Marcelino
Imperatata -do - -do - -do -
cylindrica
Saccharum -do - -do - -do -
spontaneum
Themeda gigantea -do - -do - -do -
Phylosena maxima -do - Themeda -do -
triandra
Rhynchelutrum -do - -do - -do -
repens
Cyperus Penisetum Cyperus -do -
compactus polystachyon compactus
Eragrostis cumingi Chrysopogan
aciculatus

Ten species of grasses in the outbreak and breeding

areas are readily available to the migratory locust. Sacharum
spontaneum predominates in secondary breeding areas.

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
Flora attacked by migratory locust

ORDER FAMILY NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

Cyperales Cyperaceae Cyperus iria Linn.
Euphorbiales Euphorbiaceae Manihot esculenta Pohl.
Euphorbiales Euphorbiaceae Antidesma ghaesambilla Gaertn.
Euphorbiales Euphorbiaceae Bridelia stipularis (Linn) Blume
Fabales Papilionaceae Arachis hypogeal Linn.
Fabales Papilionaceae Alysicarpus vaginalis (Linn.)
Genetianales Rubiacea Wendladia luzonensis D.C.
Lamiales Vervenaceae Vitex parviflora Juss.
Lamiales Vervenaceae Vitex regundo Linn.
Malvales Malvaceae Sida rhombifolia Linn.
Malvales Tiliaceae Trichospermum lanigerum (Blco.)
Merr.
Poales Graminae Themeda arundinaceae Hack.
Poales Graminae Themeda triandra Hack.
Poales Graminae Pinnesitum palystuchium Linn.
Poales Graminae Sorghum nitidum Pers.
Poales Graminae Saccharum spontaneum Linn.
Poales Graminae Panicum sp. Linn.

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
 Seventeen species from seven families
and eight orders of flora were observed being
attacked by locust in invaded areas. The food
crops that were eaten by voracious locust were:
Manihot esculenta (kamoteng kahoy), Cocos
nucifera (coconut), Zea mays (corn), Sorghum
vulgare (sorghum), Oryza sativa (rice), and
Saccharum oficinarum (sugar cane).

Peanut was an additional crop that was

attacked by locust. The grasses below peanuts
are eaten first, then the latter are devoured.

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

The life history and morphometrics of the

migratory locust, Locusta migratoria manilensis Meyen
has not changed much during the last 63 years.

The suspected population outbreak area which

is at Cawag, Subic, Zambales show edaphic factors and
floral structures that can sustain a gregarious
population that eventually migrated in the lowlands.
The Zambales, Pampanga, Tarlac mountain range
inclusive of Mt. Pinatubo was an identified breeding
zone of migratory locust.

The continued presence of locust in Zambales

breeding areas was due to the numerous rivers and
tributaries and the availability of food plants in the
area.

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
 New information and records that were generated
from this research were the following:

• The eruption of Mt Pinatubo that covered vast tract of

lands with ash fall constricted and limited the grassy
areas where solitary locust congregates. One such area
was Mt. Redondo at Cawag, Subic,Zambales. This
phenomenon led to gregarization and finally to an
elevated population leading to migration.

• The interplay of hot and dry weather followed by rains

in the outbreak area after Mt. Pinatubo eruption
provided a favorable environment for population
increased .

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
• Themeda gigantea , was the dominant food source of
locust in the outbreak area. Talahib,cogon, buho,
and bikal were the key food plants in mountainous
secondary breeding areas after the population
outbreak.

• The main source of locust population in Central

Luzon after the population outbreak were the
mountainous areas of Zambales due to the presence
of rivers and creeks that provide moisture for the
food plants of migratory locust.

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
• The pirpiriw, Merops sp., layang layang, Hirundo
tahatica abboti, red ants, Solenopsis geminata, a
Podapolypid mite and an oribatid spider, Argiope
catenulata were the natural enemies observed in the
field. The presence of these predators in large
numbers can serve as indicators for
monitoring/surveillance works.

• Human beings were the number one predators of

migratory locust.

• The belief that migratory locust breeds at Mt.

Pinatubo was clarified and disproven due to the hot
and dry weather in the area where locust egg laying
was impossible to happen.

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
• In a relatively dry field locust eggs were laid at the
base of green vegetations especially shrubs.

• The recurrence of migratory locust invasion in

lowlands was due to the wind movement in the
breeding areas. The northeast wind drives back
migratory locust to the breeding sites in Zambales
from November – February (amihan). These
remnant populations from the plains and those
that were present in the breeding sites mate and
reproduce during the months of March-May due to
the availability of food. The southwest wind
(habagat) during the monsoon months of June
onwards drives down the migrating population to
the lowlands of Central Luzon and Pangasinan .

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
• Gregarization and swarm formation can be
disrupted by unfavorable wet environment
where continuous rainfall prevents close
contact between individuals.

• Monitoring of migratory locust should be done

regularly during El Niño episodes particularly
in the breeding areas not only in Zambales but
also in other regions of the country that have
history of locust invasions.

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We wish to thank the DA RFU III Directors and

staff and LGU’s in Central Luzon and Pangasinan. We
appreciate very much the fund support from PCARRD.
The CA-UPLB Dean’s Office under Dr. Cecilio R.
Arboleda and the Pahinungod Program led by Prof.
Severino Cuevas were instrumental in our active
participation on the RD&E and management/control of
locust in Central Luzon. Ms. Alice G. Aquino, Fredelino
P. Peñalba, Reynaldo Arapan and, Egay Gutierrez were
our overall support in the laboratory, field and
administrative activities.

Terminal report presentation at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension ,UP Los Baños ,College Laguna. February 21, 2011.