Locusta migratoria migratorioides (Reiche & Fairmaire)

Locusta adult
Locusta migratoria migratorioides.
Adult locust, length 45 mm.

Scientific name: Locusta migratoria migratorioides (Reiche & Fairmaire)
Common name: African Migratory Locust
Ethiopian name: Ye Africa Tezamatch Anbeta

Order: Orthoptera
Family: Acrididae

HOSTS:
Main hosts: Polyphagous with some preference for Gramineae

IMPORTANCE IN ETHIOPIA:
Minor pest of: Barley, Wheat

DAMAGE:
Both the nymphs and adults are feeding on the leaves. Solitary forms do not cause much damage, but swarms can completely defoliate crops.

INSECT BIOLOGY & RECOGNITION:
Egg: The eggs are laid in pods in the ground. Gregarious females produce about 40 eggs per pod, while in solitary locusts a pod contains about 65 eggs. Depending on temperature they hatch after 10-40 days.

Locusta nymph
Locusta migratoria migratorioides.
Nymph 5th instar, length 36 mm.
Nymph: The nymphs, which are called hoppers, resemble the adult insects but they do not have wings. The nymphal stage (5 instars) takes 30-60 days.

Adult: The adults are slightly smaller than Schistocerca gregaria (= Desert Locust). Males are 35-40 mm, females are 40-50 mm long. The colour is pale yellowish. The forewings are translucent with many brown spots. The under surface of the thorax is covered with fine hairs. There is no peg-like process between the fore legs (compare with S. gregaria).

Locusta adult
Locusta migratoria migratorioides.
Adult without peg-like structure between the forelegs.

CONTROL METHODS:
Cultural control: Ploughing of the breeding areas will expose the egg pods.

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