There has sure been a lot of study on Locust Plagues throughout the world and there is a good presume too. Locust Plagues can wipe out an entire crop in minutes and devastate hundreds and thousands of quadrilateral miles of agricultural lands.
The problems created by these gigantic locust swarms has been recorded thru writings in ancient and religious history. But some are now request how do they do it? How do locust swarms fly hundreds and hundreds of miles over water without stopping, landing or food to replenish the energy? One researcher; Mr. Warren Powers ponders the idea and recently stated in an online think tank;
Acoustic Insect Killer
"I presume a swarm that manages the long trip across Lake Victoria [Africa] is using whether a group harmonic to sustain in the lift of the whole swarm, or a relay flap technique. The relay 'trick' would be more difficult to establish, but may be possible with high-speed video."
Mr. Powers wants to use this knowledge to disrupt them in flight and stop a Locust Plague and turn the locusts into fish food. And you must admit that this is an appealing theory on the relay trick; although these swarms unquestionably do appear to be swarms not like birds in formation. That should be considered prior to this ambush of the locust plague on Lake Victoria.
Warren states; "I think if you stood under a swarm you would feel a downdraft or downward flow of air from the swarm. Each member of the swarm increases the velocity of the downward airflow, thus each member of the swarm expends less vigor than would a particular private locust in normal private flight."
A magic carpeting of ground cushion; layer upon layer? The last layer is the ground? Hard to say; but I like this line of thought.
Warren states; "It takes less vigor to increase the velocity of appealing air than it takes to get underway velocity of still air. The particular member of a swarm expends less vigor to navigate in the swarm than as an individual. This may list for their long length capabilities."
Indeed I have considered this too, but I do not know. I also have a request do the swarms land on water and make a virtual island cannibalize and take off again? Those on the lowest die so the swarm can survive. This was a question, which I have not had answered in any of my literature I have read whether off or online. I would like to know that sass to whether confirm it or move onto someone else theory like yours with more sureness.
Truly a appealing and plausible theory of the locusts and how they do it; if this is how they do it, what a titanic evolutionary step indeed. What an thinkable, insect. Think all this in 2006.
Locust Swarms How Do They Do It?
