On July 5, 2025, at the Japan Press Center, Senior Researcher MAENO Kotaro (Biological Resources and Post-harvest Division) was awarded the Grand Prize at the 2025 Science Journalist Awards, hosted by the Japanese Association of Science and Technology Journalists, for his book “Taking on the Locust in Africa (バッタを倒すぜ アフリカで)” (published by Kobunsha Shinsho). A formal award ceremony was held to commemorate the occasion.

The Science Journalist Awards, now in their 20th year, were established to honor outstanding achievements in science reporting, writing, and communication. Dr. Maeno has dedicated himself to uncovering the mechanisms behind large-scale outbreaks of desert locusts (Schistocerca gregaria) — that threaten crops across Africa — and developing technologies to control them. His book, a sequel to the bestseller “Taking on the Locust in Africa,” was praised for clearly conveying his research findings and on-the-ground efforts, earning strong support from the selection committee as a deserving recipient of the Grand Prize.

Dr. Maeno’s research has shed light on previously unknown aspects of Schistocerca gregaria ecology, including the formation of dense swarms known as the “gregarious phase,” the differentiation of male and female groups, and their reproductive behaviors. Notably, he discovered that just before laying eggs, female locusts fly into male swarms, mate, and then collectively lay eggs underground at night—a behavioral pattern that has led to the development of innovative pest control methods that significantly reduce pesticide use.

He also contributed to breakthroughs in understanding locust thermoregulatory mechanism and in developing outbreak prediction technologies using satellite data. These achievements are based over nine years of fieldwork in the Sahara Desert, conducted in collaboration with local pest control agencies, with the goal of supporting sustainable agricultural production.

We would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Maeno on receiving the Science Journalist Awards Grand Prize.