PONE-D-20-15116

Increased and sex-selective avian predation of Desert Locusts Schistocerca gregaria treated with Metarhizium acridum (Green Muscle®)

PLOS ONE

Dear Dr. Mullié,

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Guy Smagghe, PhD

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

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Reviewers' comments:

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1. Is the manuscript technically sound, and do the data support the conclusions?

The manuscript must describe a technically sound piece of scientific research with data that supports the conclusions. Experiments must have been conducted rigorously, with appropriate controls, replication, and sample sizes. The conclusions must be drawn appropriately based on the data presented.

Reviewer #1: Yes

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2. Has the statistical analysis been performed appropriately and rigorously?

Reviewer #1: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

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5. Review Comments to the Author

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Reviewer #1: The topic of the study is very significant considering the recent devastating effects of the desert locusts in the African continent.

The study was well structured, experiments setup as per standards. Authors also analyzed their data sufficiently.

Revisions:

The sentence in line 126 to 129 seems too long, maybe they could shorten.

In results section: some of the results were described after the table, it seemed confusing. It would be better if all results are described before table citation.

Besides the above two comments, I find the manuscript sound with significant findings that can contribute towards sustainable control of locust in Africa and globe.

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Reviewer #1: Yes: Amulen Deborah Ruth

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Increased and sex-selective avian predation of Desert Locusts Schistocerca gregaria treated with Metarhizium acridum

PONE-D-20-15116R1

Dear Dr. Mullié,

We’re pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been judged scientifically suitable for publication and will be formally accepted for publication once it meets all outstanding technical requirements.

Within one week, you’ll receive an e-mail detailing the required amendments. When these have been addressed, you’ll receive a formal acceptance letter and your manuscript will be scheduled for publication.

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Kind regards,

Guy Smagghe, PhD

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

Additional Editor Comments (optional):

Reviewers' comments: