Scientists at the University of Cambridge have found that a sharp increase in serotonin levels in locusts is the chemical trigger that causes them to swarm.Normally a solitary insect, locusts produce more serotonin when circumstances such as drought force many of them together, such as at a common remaining food source. This combined sight, smell and touch of similar insects induces the production of serotonin, and at levels as much as three times normal they operate as pack animals in devastating swarms that affect up to 20% of the Earth's land.
Serotonin is a brain chemical that has been linked to libido, mood, appetite, sleep and memory in humans. Researchers found they could induce this swarming behavior in locusts by injecting them with serotonin, as well as inhibit this behavior by using a serotonin blocker. Knowledge of how chemicals such as serotonin affect insects could lead to better methods to prevent ravaging swarms before they develop.
These results were published in the January 30th edition of Science.
Source: Yahoo!
No comments:
Post a Comment