Spur-throated locust

Spur-throated locust
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Orthoptera
Family: Acrididae
Genus: Austracris
Species: A. guttulosa
Binomial name
Austracris guttulosa
(Walker, 1870)[1]

The spur-throated locust (Austracris guttulosa) is a native Australian insect in the family Acrididae and a significant agricultural pest.

Adult females of A. guttulosa are typically 45–65 millimetres (1.8–2.6 in) long, and adult males are typically 35–45 mm (1.4–1.8 in) long.[2] Adults are pale brown with colourless wings and white and dark markings on the thorax. The hind legs are yellow with two rows of white spines.[3] Juvenile spur-throated locusts are green or yellow. The backs of older juveniles may also show a dark or pale stripe.[3]

The spur-throated locaust has a life span on between ten and 12 months, from autumn to summer.[3] Overpopulation of spur-throated locausts is managed in Australia by the Australian Plague Locust Commission.

See also

References

  1. "2. Austracris guttulosa (Walker)". CSIRO Australian Insect Common Names. 19 September 2004. Retrieved 18 November 2010.
  2. "2. Spur-throated locust: Austracris guttulosa - DAFF". Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Australia). Retrieved 18 November 2010.
  3. 1 2 3 "Spur throated locust". Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Commonwealth of Australia. 23 July 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
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