'PANning' Locust Plagues

At least since biblical times, plagues of locusts have devastated crops. This ravenous insect has distinct solitary and migratory phases. It's the migratory phase that really destroys crops. Locusts, however, as well as devouring plants, are cannibalistic. Such cannibalism can be problematic, especially in large insect swarms. Migratory locusts try to limit such losses, by producing an anti-cannibalistic 'pheromone' (an olfactory cue with a predictable behavioural effect) (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/may/04/fine-young-cannibals-locust-study-better-pest-control). The 'pheromone', stopping locusts eating eachother, is the chemical phenylacetonitrile (PAN). CRISPR (gene editing) techniques have been used to make some locusts unable to produce PAN. Such individuals are very likely to be eaten by their cagemates. CRISPR techniques were also used to make other locusts unable to smell PAN. These individuals were very likely to be cannibalistic. It's been argued, in a Science paper, that improving our understanding of locust behaviour, may result in better control of migratory swarms. Getting the insects to eat themselves could be a more effective control measure than simply spraying crops with highly toxic insecticides.