What is an Australian Plague Locust?
An Australian Plague Locust is a type of insect similar to grasshoppers, katydids and crickets – the Orthoptera (derived from the Greek words orthos meaning straight or rigid and ptera meaning wing). The major difference between grasshoppers and locusts is the capability of immature locusts (hoppers) to form dense aggregations called bands and of adult locusts to form swarms. Bands and swarms generally form when the population density is high. Grasshoppers do not form bands or swarms. Another key difference between locusts and grasshoppers is that locusts have a large dark spot on the tip of the rear wings and a distinctive red line on the rear legs. The Australian Plague Locust is a native species that occurs naturally in the far north west of New South Wales and adjacent areas of Queensland and South Australia. It is one of many locust species.
