Scientific name: Locusta migratoria migratorioides (Reiche & Fairmaire)
Common name: African Migratory Locust
Ethiopian name: Ye Africa Tezamatch Anbeta
Main hosts: Polyphagous with some preference for Gramineae
IMPORTANCE IN ETHIOPIA:
Minor pest of: Barley, Wheat
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.
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).
Cultural control: Ploughing of the breeding areas will expose the egg pods.