News Animals

Locust Upset: DNA puts swarmer’s origin in Africa

By Susan Milius

- More than 2 years ago

The desert locust, often blamed for modern crop ruin and biblical plagues, was not an ancient export from the Americas, say DNA analysts.

JEKYLL AND HYDE. The African desert locust in its solitary green form does little damage, but when it’s black and yellow, far-flying swarms can bring crop damage of biblical proportions.