Species distribution and occurrence trend of major locusts in Xinjiang

To comprehensively grasp the species, distribution and occurrence trend of main locusts in grassland of Xinjiang, the occurrence of locusts was systematically investigated in field by sample frame method and net sweeping method from 2021 to 2024, and the diversity of locusts and spatial distribution of dominant species in key areas were analyzed by one‑way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and inverse distance weight method. The results showed that a total of 55 species belonging to eight families, 31 genera of locusts were identified, and Calliptamus italicus and Calliptamus barbarus were dominant species. The diversity index of locusts in Tacheng Prefecture was significantly higher than that of other regions in northern Xinjiang and eastern Xinjiang, and abundance and diversity of locusts in Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture was significantly higher than that in Hotan Prefecture, Kashgar Prefecture and Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture among the four prefectures in southern Xinjiang. The high‑density occurrence areas of locusts in northern Xinjiang were mainly distributed in Fuyun county of Altay Prefecture, Manasi county and Hutubi county of Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Nilka county of Ili Prefecture, as well as Emin county of Tacheng Prefecture and Bole city and Wenquan county of Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture; the high‑density areas in southern Xinjiang were mainly distributed in Hejing county of Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture and Minfeng county of Hotan Prefecture. Under the current climate change, C. italicus and C. barbarus will continue to occur seriously in Xinjiang, and Locusta migratoria migratoria has a recurrence trend, which should be paid close attention to. The risk of cross‑border migration of L. migratoria migratoria from neighboring countries or areas was high, requiring high attention and enchanced monitoring. These results further clarified the occurrence and distribution of locusts in grasslands of Xinjiang in current period, and can provide new data support for prevention and control of locusts.