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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