Migratory Locust

Fascinating facts about the Migratory Locust

• At 6.5 billion base pairs, the migratory locust carries one of the largest known insect genomes.
• When crowding pushes a solitary locust into the gregarious phase, its adult body shrinks to 40–60 mm, noticeably smaller than the solitary form, showing how density can reshape even the insect’s size.
• Researchers found that the brain enzyme Dnmt3 spikes in crowded locusts but drops when they’re isolated, linking DNA-methylation to the dramatic switch between solitary and swarm behavior.
• A swarm can sweep across 5 to 130 km in a single day, flying at 15–20 km/h with up to 80 million insects packed into each square kilometre, enough that one million locusts devour a ton of fresh food every day.
• After a European safety review in July 2021 and EU approval in November 2021, frozen, dried, or ground migratory locusts are now legally cleared as food, turning a historic pest into a potential protein source.

At a glance

About the Migratory Locust

Spanning continents from the savannas of northern Australia to the steppes of Europe, the migratory locust (Locusta migratoria) is the sole representative of its genus and the most widespread locust on the planet. Adults range from 40 to 60 mm, with gregarious forms typically smaller than their solitary counterparts. Their coloration shifts dramatically with phase and age: gregarious nymphs blaze in yellow-orange with black spots, while solitary nymphs blend into green or brown foliage; mature gregarious adults turn brownish with vivid yellow that intensifies over time, whereas solitary adults retain a brown base overlaid with variable green hues drawn from the surrounding vegetation. This polyphenic marvel can toggle between solitary and gregarious phases as crowding cues trigger a cascade of molecular changes, including heightened expression of the brain-specific DNA-methyltransferase Dnmt3, which modulates locomotor activity and may be linked to the hormone receptor HR3. Beyond its striking visual plasticity, the species boasts one of the largest insect genomes at 6.5 Gbp, a genetic heft that underpins its capacity for rapid, wind-assisted flights of 15–20 km h⁻¹, covering up to 130 km in a single day. Swarms can swell to millions of individuals, each consuming several grams of fresh plant matter daily, enough that a million locusts devour a ton of food each day. While these swarms wreak havoc in arid zones, the same species lives a solitary life amid the greener savannas of northern Australia, illustrating the astonishing flexibility that makes the migratory locust a true ecological chameleon.

Seen on screen

More insects and spiders to discover

Browse Feravox