Locusta migratoria cf. cinerascens

(Fabricius, 1781)

Vernacular names
English : Migratory locust
French : Criquet migrateur

Classification
Class : Insecta
Order : Orthoptera
Family : Acrididae
Notes : 6 other subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can grow to 7 cm in length, female longer than males. Gregarious phase is uniformly yellowish-brown, often with clearer head, with mottled transparent wings. Solitary phase is usually darker, often with green areas.

Range and habitat
The species occurs most of Africa, southern Europe to most of southern and eastern Asia. Subspecies status unclear but this population occurs in Arabian peninsula. We don’t know how distinct it is from west Asian populations. Lives in steppes, savannas and open grasslands with low to medium humidity.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN (only assessed in Europe)
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species is still locally common but does not occur in swarms anymore, for now. Loss of habitat and declines locally known, especially in Europe.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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