By identifying the chemical signal that triggers swarms to form, it may be possible to stop swarming entirely.
A plague of locusts of biblical proportions has been devouring vast swathes of crops across east Africa.
The South American country has declared a state of emergency following a mass influx of the insects.
The migratory pests could end up being turned in to bomb-detection systems for use in war zones.
Some Israelis have found a novel new way to deal with the locust swarm - cooking and eating them.