Locust

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About Locust

A plague of locusts is a devastating natural disaster. These infestations have been feared and revered throughout history. Unfortunately, they still wreak havoc today.

Locusts are related to grasshoppers and the two insects look similar. However, locust behaviour can be something else entirely. Locusts are sometimes solitary insects with lifestyles much like grasshoppers. But locusts have another behavioural phase called the gregarious phase. When environmental conditions produce many green plants and promote breeding, locusts can congregate into thick, mobile, ravenous swarms.

Fast Facts

Type: Bug

Diet: Herbivore

Average life span in the wild: Several months

Size: 0.5 to 3 in (1.2 to 7.5 cm)

Weight: 0.07 oz (2 g)

Group name: Swarm

Locust

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