Kinetic order-disorder transitions in a pause-and-go swarming model with memory

A two dimensional model of self-propelled particles combining both a pause-and-go movement pattern and memory is studied in simulations. It is shown, that in contrast to previously studied agent based models in two-dimensions, order and disorder are metastable states that can co-exist at some parameter range. In particular, this implies that the formation and decay of global order in swarms may be kinetic rather than a phase transition. Our results explain metastability recently observed in swarming locust and fish.