MODELING BROWN LOCUST, LOCUSTANA-PARDALINA (WALKER), OUTBREAKS IN THEKAROO

To aid understanding brown locust outbreaks in the Karoo, a simulation model of its population dynamics was constructed. This model tested t he hypothesis that locust swarming follows the summer rainfall that en ds extended dry periods, and is inhibited by winter rainfall. This hyp othesis, in part previously suggested by Lea, was partly confirmed by comparing rainfall data and swarming activity at 12 stations situated within the locust outbreak area from 1910-1986, from which several sig nificant positive and negative correlations were established