Locust

Locust, common name for a number of species of grasshopper that swarm and are major pests of agriculture and grazing lands throughout the world. Most species are dark brown and less than 2.5 cm (1 in) in length. Swarms develop as the locusts change from the solitary phase to the gregarious phase, which may involve immense numbers of individuals migrating and searching for food. The desert locust is the principal African pest; the migratory locust occurs throughout the eastern hemisphere; and the smaller Australian plague locust is predominant in Australia. Control measures include the spreading of poison bait and the ploughing under of locust eggs. Infestations threatening large regions may be combated with insecticides sprayed by aircraft and mist blowers mounted on lorries.

The periodical cicada is another important insect to which the name locust is applied. Grouse, or pygmy, locusts are small, jumping insects that are of little economic importance.

Scientific classification: Locusts belong to the superfamily Acridoidea within the order Orthoptera. The desert locust is classified as Schistocerca gregaria, the migratory locust as Locusta migratoria, and the Australian plague locust as Chortoicetes terminifera. Grouse, or pygmy, locusts belong to the family Tetrigidae.