Phase polyphenism in locusts: factors inducing gregarization

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The desert locust exhibits phase polyphenism in response to population density or crowding. In this study we examined the factors controlling progeny size and color as well as nymphal body color and gregarious behavior in this locust to understand the mechanism controlling the phase polyphenism. Crowding induces phase-dependent change in body color and behavior in this locust. We found that visual stimuli alone can induce green solitarious nymphs to develop black patterns. We also found that as short as 1 day of crowding can cause green solitarious 3rd instar nymphs to develop black patterns. Third instar isolated nymphs, which normally avoid other individuals, required 2 days of crowding to start being attracted to other individuals. These findings would provide an excellent assay system to examine the underlying genetic mechanism regulating the phase polyphenism in this locust.