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Grasshoppers or locusts?
- Thread starter Matt J
- Start date
sunspotbaby
SoWal Insider
from nat geo:
Locusts are related to grasshoppers and the two insects look similar. However, locust behavior can be something else entirely. Locusts are sometimes solitary insects with lifestyles much like grasshoppers. But locusts have another behavioral phase called the gregarious phase. When environmental conditions produce many green plants and promote breeding, locusts can congregate into thick, mobile, ravenous swarms.
from wiki:
Locust is the swarming phase of short-horned grasshoppers of the family Acrididae. The origin and apparent extinction of certain species of locust?some of which reached 6 inches (15 cm) in length?are unclear.[1]
These are species that can breed rapidly under suitable conditions and subsequently become gregarious and migratory. They form bands as nymphs and swarms as adults?both of which can travel great distances, rapidly stripping fields and greatly damaging crops.
photos of both look the same to me.
Locusts are related to grasshoppers and the two insects look similar. However, locust behavior can be something else entirely. Locusts are sometimes solitary insects with lifestyles much like grasshoppers. But locusts have another behavioral phase called the gregarious phase. When environmental conditions produce many green plants and promote breeding, locusts can congregate into thick, mobile, ravenous swarms.
from wiki:
Locust is the swarming phase of short-horned grasshoppers of the family Acrididae. The origin and apparent extinction of certain species of locust?some of which reached 6 inches (15 cm) in length?are unclear.[1]
These are species that can breed rapidly under suitable conditions and subsequently become gregarious and migratory. They form bands as nymphs and swarms as adults?both of which can travel great distances, rapidly stripping fields and greatly damaging crops.
photos of both look the same to me.
Miss Critter
Beach Fanatic
We do seem to be experiencing some sort of economic biblical plague, so I vote locust, young grasshopper. 
Smiling JOe
SoWal Expert
Are you referring to the blurred objects on the sticks? I cannot see them well.
NoHall
hmmmm......can't remember
He doesn't want to compromise their privacy.
Matt J
SWGB
Sorry my phones camera doesn't do macro very well.
They are grasshoppers and not locusts, but are they going to eat my plants or defend them like a homestead. I'm just curious before I get out the DDT.
Smiling JOe
SoWal Expert
regardless of which they are, they will eat plant leaves like they are going out of style. I bet you can find some home remedy online, to spray on your precious plants to deter them from eating. If you want, you can take some of the fireants from my garden to help defend the plants. They work very well against the insects, but not against the rabbits and deer.
mikecat adjuster
Beach Fanatic
A pellet gun wouldn't harm your plants, if your aim is good 
Matt J
SWGB
No munches yet. I had some insecticide that saaaid organic on the bottle. According to the label (always read labels) the fact that it is called organic that means nothing and it's basically the same old stuff. Back to the store tomorrow. The population has also dwindled with the cold and wind.