From disorder to order in marching locusts

dc.contributor.authorBuhl, C.
dc.contributor.authorSumpter, D.J.T.
dc.contributor.authorCouzin, I.D.
dc.contributor.authorHale, J.J.
dc.contributor.authorDespland, E.
dc.contributor.authorMiller, E.R.
dc.contributor.authorSimpson, S.J.
dc.date.issued2006
dc.description.abstractRecent models from theoretical physics have predicted that mass-migrating animal groups may share group-level properties, irrespective of the type of animals in the group. One key prediction is that as the density of animals in the group increases, a rapid transition occurs from disordered movement of individuals within the group to highly aligned collective motion. Understanding such a transition is crucial to the control of mobile swarming insect pests such as the desert locust. We confirmed the prediction of a rapid transition from disordered to ordered movement and identified a critical density for the onset of coordinated marching in locust nymphs. We also demonstrated a dynamic instability in motion at densities typical of locusts in the field, in which groups can switch direction without external perturbation, potentially facilitating the rapid transfer of directional information.
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityC. Buhl, D. J. T. Sumpter, I. D. Couzin, J. J. Hale, E. Despland, E. R. Miller, S. J. Simpson
dc.identifier.citationScience, 2006; 312(5778):1402-1406
dc.identifier.doi10.1126/science.1125142
dc.identifier.issn0036-8075
dc.identifier.issn1095-9203
dc.identifier.orcidBuhl, C. [0000-0002-7506-6835]
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2440/86790
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science
dc.rights©American Association for the Advancement of Science
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.1126/science.1125142
dc.subjectAnimals
dc.subjectGrasshoppers
dc.subjectMass Behavior
dc.subjectPopulation Density
dc.subjectMovement
dc.subjectModels, Biological
dc.titleFrom disorder to order in marching locusts
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

Files