Locust Vs Agriculture

This report summarizes the activities and progress of Department of Agriculture entomologists working in 13 countries during the period 1951-1957. It describes the nature of the cooperative effort between the Department of Agriculture and the International Cooperation Administration, and the coordination of project activities within the host countries. Tables are presented containing data to emphasize the important material and financial participation in this program by friendly cooperative countries, and the fact that their contributions far surpass those of the United States.

This manual brings together in a single volume information on over 500 species of pest locust and grasshoppers in developing countries worldwide. Aimed at agriculturalists and extension workers, there are fully illustrated sections on identification, life cycle, ecology and behaviour, distribution (including maps), and assessment of damage/economic importance of each species. A comprehensive bibliography is also included, plus species, genera and geographical indexes.

In the late eighties large-scale control operations were carried out to control a major desert locust upsurge in Africa. For the first time since the banning of organochlorine pesticides these operations relied mainly on non-persistent pesticides such as organophosphates and pyrethroids. The amount of pesticides sprayed and the area covered were probably the highest in the history of locust control and raised criticism with respect to efficacy, economic viability and environmental impact. As a consequence, applied research into the problem was intensified, both at the national and the international level, with the goal of finding new and environmentally sound approaches and solutions to locust and grasshopper control. Emphasis was laid on developing new control agents and techniques.