One hundred years of phase polymorphism research in locusts
Hans‐Joachim Pflüger, Peter Bräunig
Abstract
One hundred years ago in 1921, Sir Boris Uvarov recognized that two locust species are one species but appearing in two different phases, a solitarious and a gregarious phase. As locust swarms are still a big problem affecting millions of people, basic research has tried to understand the causes for the transition between phases. This phenomenon of phase polymorphism, now called polyphenism, is a very complex multifactorial process and this short review will draw attention to this important aspect of insect research.
Topics & Concepts
PolyphenismLocustPhenomenonBiologyEvolutionary biologyGenealogyGeographyEcologyHistoryEpistemologyPhenotypic plasticityPhilosophyPlant and animal studiesNeurobiology and Insect Physiology ResearchInsect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior