locusts and seretonin

[burnt]

BBC NEWS | Science & Environment | Locust swarms 'high' on serotonin

news.bbc.co.uk

I found this article quite interesting. Basically locust swarms are correlated with high levels of seretonin in locusts. Normally when they are just hiding around they have low levels but when they enter swarm mode the levels go up and they get into that frenzy mode. Now I wonder what dmt does to them and other insects? Dmt and pest control imagine the complicated legalities of that one.

 

[40oztofreedom]

Possibly locust use serotonin as some type of pheromone to signal to other locust?

Someone should collect some locust in a jar and see how they react to DMT?

 

[bufoman]

If administered topically (on exoskeleton) DMT and other amines will cause paralysis in insects (most if not all). This is because these organisms use amines as mammals use acetylcholine, that is to control movement. They will also die if the levels are high enough.

Some tryptamine analogues could be used a safe bio-degradable insecticides.

 

[burnt]

SWIM has been wondering about this for a long time. It makes sense.

SWIM tried to put a fruit fly into a jar with dmt in it but the fly got pissed off probably because it was stuck in a jar more then the dmt. SWIM needs a control

 

[40oztofreedom]

Some tryptamine analogues could be used a safe bio-degradable insecticides.

Which would presumably be better/more eco-friendly than some other, rather hazardous chemical, correct?

This is because these organisms use amines as mammals use acetylcholine, that is to control movement.

So the effect would be none the less different than say... an anti-cholinergic substance to a human?

 

[burnt]

anti-cholinergics are also used to kill insects. infact a lot of pesticides especially organophosphates are strong anti cholinergics.

Which would presumably be better/more eco-friendly than some other, rather hazardous chemical, correct?

it depends.