Insect · GBIF taxon 1713418
African Migratory Locust
Locusta migratoriaAlso known as Migratory Locust, Common Locust
Migratory locusts exhibit a fascinating dual nature, transforming from solitary, green grasshoppers into highly social, brown-and-yellow swarming insects when populations crowd together. These massive swarms travel vast distances on the wind, consuming their own weight in vegetation daily and stripping agricultural landscapes. Their dramatic physical and behavioral metamorphosis is triggered by rising serotonin levels as their hind legs rub against one another in crowded conditions.
SwarmingHerbivorousAdaptable
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Grasses
- Cereal crops
- Leaves
Predators
- Insectivorous birds
- Lizards
- Rodents
ThreatsPesticide control programs and habitat alteration
HabitatsGrasslands, savannas, agricultural fields, and semi-arid regions
Life span3 to 5 months
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyAcrididae
- SpeciesLocusta migratoria
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Observe Phase Changes: Look for the striking color differences between solitary green individuals and crowded gregarious yellow-brown ones.
- Approach Gently: Walk slowly through grasslands to watch them leap, as they are highly sensitive to sudden movements.
- Listen for Flight: Listen for the distinct rustling sound of their wings when a group is flushed from cover.
Competitor Christiaan Kooyman / Public domain · cc0
Predator Sumeet Moghe / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Christiaan Kooyman / Public domain · cc0
Close Relative Charles J. Sharp / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
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