PIOU C - cbgp

cyril.piou@cirad.fr

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Cyril PIOU

Researcher, Cirad

Area(s)

Since joining CIRAD in 2010, my work has focused primarily on research into the ecology of locusts – insects capable of changing their behaviour and forming swarms of millions of individuals. This research aims in particular to improve our understanding of the biology and ecology of the desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria), a major pest of agriculture and pastures in Africa and Asia. The overall objective is to improve preventive management strategies for the desert locust in West and North Africa. To address the various issues and problems posed by this species, I use a variety of modelling methods depending on the scales and perspectives of the processes under consideration. Since 2017, I have also been involved in research on the South American locust (Schistocerca cancellata) and the Senegalese locust (Oedaleus senegalensis).

I am currently on secondment to the FAO’s Desert Locust Information Service (DLIS) in Rome until July 2026.

Keywords: Population ecology, Phenotypic plasticity, Modelling, Statistics, Programming.

Locust@Cirad : the locust team at CBGP

Marescot L., Fernandez E., Dridi H., Benahi A.S., Hamouny M.L., Maeno K., Escorihuela M.-J., Paolini G. & Piou C. 2025. A forecasting model for desert locust presence using real-time satellite imagery. Remote Sensing Applications: Society and Environment 37 : 101497. (https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rsase.2025.101497)

Maeno K.O., Piou C., Lemenager N., Ould Ely S., Ould Babah Ebbe M.A., Benahi A.S. & Jaavar M.E.H. 2025. Desiccated desert locust embryos reserve yolk as a "lunch box" for posthatching survival. PNAS Nexus 4 : pgaf132. (https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/pnasnexus/pgaf132)

Grimm V., Berger U., Calabrese J.M., Cortés-Avizanda A., Ferrer J., Franz M., Groeneveld J., Hartig F., Jakoby O., Jovani R., Kramer-Schadt S., Münkemüller T., Piou C., Premo L.S., Pütz S., Quintaine T., Rademacher C., Rüger N., Schmolke A., Thiele J.C., Touza J. & Railsback S.F. 2025. Using the ODD protocol and NetLogo to replicate agent-based models. Ecological Modelling 501 : 110967. (https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2024.110967)

Diouf* E., Brevault T., Ndiaye S. & Piou C. 2024. Exploration of the potential of a boosted sterile insect technique to control fruit flies in mango orchards. Pest Management Science 80 : 5212-5223. (https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ps.8248)

Berger U., Bell A., Barton C.M., Chappin E., Dreßler G., Filatova T., Fronville T., Lee A., van Loon E., Lorscheid I., Meyer M., Müller B., Piou C., Radchuk V., Roxburgh N., Schüler L., Troost C., Wijermans N., Williams T.G., Wimmler M.-C. & Grimm V. 2024. Towards reusable building blocks for agent-based modelling and theory development. Environmental Modelling & Software 175 : 106003. (https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2024.106003)

Cissé S., Leménager N., Piou C. & Niassy S. 2024. Quantitative analysis of behavioural phase difference in Locusta migratoria migratorioides (Reiche & Fairmaire, 1849) (Orthoptera, Acrididae) from the examination of spatial distribution patterns. International Journal of Tropical Insect Science 44 : 1427-1434. (https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s42690-024-01236-2)

Herbillon* F., Diouf E.G., Brévault T., Haramboure M., Fellous S. & Piou C. 2024. Life history traits of the target pest and transmission routes of the biocide are critical for the success of the boosted Sterile Insect Technique. Current Research in Insect Science 6 : 100101. (https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cris.2024.100101)

Herbillon* F., Piou C. & Meynard C. 2024. An increase in management actions has compensated for past climate change effects on desert locust gregarization in western Africa. Heliyon 10 : e29231. (https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29231)

Scattolini M.C., Piou C., Medina H., Iglesias R., Cerquetti A. & Cigliano M.M. 2024. Environmental factors associated to breeding areas of the South American locust Schistocerca cancellata on a regional scale. Austral Ecology 49 : e13568. (https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/aec.13568)

Sorel M., Gay P.-E., Vernier* C., Cissé S. & Piou C. 2024. Upwind flight partially explains the migratory routes of locust swarms. Ecological Modelling 489 : 110622. (https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2024.110622)