Desert Locusts: Sexual Maturation Delayed by Feeding on Senescent Vegetation

A diet of senescent Brassica spp. delayed sexual maturation in the desert locust. The senescent leaves were shown to be short of gibberellins, and a dietary supplement of gibberellin A$_{3}$ (1 microgram per locust per day) restored the rate of maturation to that found in animals feeding on green le...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 1965-07, Vol.149 (3683), p.546-547
Main Authors: Ellis, Peggy E., Carlisle, D. B., Osborne, Daphne J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Diet
Gibberellins
Leaves
Locusts
Oviposition
Plant roots
Plants
Sulfates
Sulfur
Vegetation
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Summary:A diet of senescent Brassica spp. delayed sexual maturation in the desert locust. The senescent leaves were shown to be short of gibberellins, and a dietary supplement of gibberellin A$_{3}$ (1 microgram per locust per day) restored the rate of maturation to that found in animals feeding on green leaves. An external application of eugenol had a similar effect. The sexual immaturity of desert locusts during the dry season may result from the senescent condition of their desert food plants.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.149.3683.546