Abstract

VAL, Ek del; FLORES-GUTIERREZ, Ana María; OBREGON-OCHOA, Angélica  and  PAZ, Horacio. Centro American locust (Schistocerca piceifrons) population in Socorro Island and its impact on vegetation. Rev. Mex. Biodiv. [online]. 2022, vol.93, e934917.  Epub July 31, 2023. ISSN 2007-8706.  https://doi.org/10.22201/ib.20078706e.2022.93.4917.

Mexican islands are an important biodiversity reservoir that is threatened by the introduction of invasive exotic species. In recent times, Socorro island, Revillagigedo Archipelago, has experienced significant environmental disturbances including population outbreaks from the Centro American locust (Schistocerca piceifrons). Since S. piceifrons can cause significant damage on native plants, the present study evaluated the population status of S. piceifrons at Socorro island and its effect upon native vegetation. Also, we evaluated historic annual locust abundance in relation to climatic variables in the island. We sampled S. piceifrons in 25 island sites with different vegetation types, once during the dry season and once in the rainy season of 2018. We also evaluated herbivory on most common plants. We did not observe any S. piceifrons gregarious behavior and solitary locusts were more abundant during the rainy season. Herbivory levels were low (< 7%). We detected that locust abundance was associated to moderate temperature years with high atmospheric humidity. Since outbreaks have been reported previously, we recommend continuing locust monitoring, however current situation does not suggest to start any control measures on S. piceifrons populations.

Keywords : Invasive species; Herbivory; Herbivore; Revillagigedo Archipelago; Vulnerability.