Insect · GBIF taxon 1707320
Desert Locust
Schistocerca gregariaAlso known as Desert Grasshopper
Desert locusts exist in two distinct physical and behavioral phases, transforming from solitary green grasshoppers into bright yellow, highly social swarmers. When environmental crowding occurs after rainfall, touch signals trigger serotonin release that alters their coloration, body shape, and attraction to one another within days. A single mega-swarm can span hundreds of square kilometers and contain billions of insects capable of consuming thousands of tons of crops daily.
SwarmingMigratoryHerbivorous
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Desert Grasses
- Agricultural Crops
- Tree Leaves
Predators
- Abdim's Stork
- Desert Monitor
- Lesser Kestrel
ThreatsTargeted pesticide control programs, aerial monitoring, prolonged drought
HabitatsArid deserts, scrublands, semi-arid grasslands, agricultural fields
Life span3 to 5 months
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyAcrididae
- SpeciesSchistocerca gregaria
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe; poses no direct physical threat to humans despite being a major crop pest.
Responsible observation
- Observation: Look for solitary individuals blending into dry desert vegetation after seasonal rains.
- Handling: Exercise caution when holding adults, as their mandibles can deliver a firm defensive pinch.
Ecological Counterpart Jonathan Hornung / CC BY-SA 2.0 de · cc-by-sa
Related Swarmer Christiaan Kooyman / Public domain · cc0
Predator (c) datadan, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by datadan · cc-by
Close Relative Bob Peterson from North Palm Beach, Florida, Planet Earth! / CC BY-SA 2.0 · cc-by-sa
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