News Life

Serotonin turns shy locusts into cereal killers

Smells, sights and tickles as locusts gather lead to a surge in the neurotransmitter

By Susan Milius

- More than 2 years ago

Neighbors say he seemed like such a nice, quiet locust. But a surge of serotonin, researchers now say, sent this solitary type to join a crop-destroying plague.

FACE OFF Desert locusts can switch from a crowd-hating solitary lifestyle (right: nymph at top, adult below) to a livelier, gregarious creature having bolder colors (left).