African Migratory Locust vs Canary-shouldered Thorn

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute African Migratory Locust Canary-shouldered Thorn
Scientific Name Locusta migratoria migratorioides Ennomos alniaria
Order Orthoptera Lepidoptera
Family Acrididae Geometridae
Size 40-55 mm 35-42 mm wingspan
Habitat Farmland Underground
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Sub-Saharan Africa Europe, temperate Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

African Migratory Locust

A widespread African subspecies of the migratory locust that can form devastating swarms. Solitary individuals are green while gregarious ones turn brown and yellow.

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Did You Know?

The phase transformation from solitary to swarming is triggered by serotonin released when locusts bump into each other in crowded conditions.

Canary-shouldered Thorn

An autumn moth with bright canary-yellow fur on its thorax and warm orange-yellow wings. When at rest with wings raised, it closely resembles a dead birch leaf.

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Did You Know?

Its vivid yellow thoracic fur is unique among British geometrid moths and makes it instantly recognisable.