Migratory locust

The migratory locust is a kind of grasshopper with long, strong wings and even stronger back legs for leaping. Its name gives away its special talent: this insect is one of nature’s great travellers. Migratory locusts are found across a huge part of the world, from Africa and Europe to Asia and Australia.

What makes the migratory locust truly amazing is that it can change its whole look and lifestyle. Most of the time it lives quietly on its own. In this “solitary” form it is a calm green or brown, blending in with the grasses and leaves it likes to nibble. You might walk right past one without ever noticing it.

But when many locusts find themselves together in one place, something wonderful happens. Over time they change into a brighter “gregarious” form, dressed in warm yellows and browns, and they begin to travel as one enormous group. Scientists still find it fascinating how a shy green insect can turn into a bold, colourful traveller simply because it has company.

Grown-up gregarious locusts are about 4 to 6 centimetres long, and their colours grow deeper and richer as they get older. On their wings, huge groups of them can fly great distances together, crossing plains and hills in search of fresh green plants to eat. It is one of the biggest gatherings any insect can make.

Because they eat leaves and grasses, big groups of locusts sometimes visit the fields where farmers grow food. Farmers keep a careful eye out and have clever ways to share the land. Around the world the migratory locust is listed as Least Concern, so these remarkable travellers are still doing well in the wild.