South American Locust vs Painted Grasshopper
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | South American Locust | Painted Grasshopper |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Schistocerca cancellata | Poekilocerus pictus |
| Order | Orthoptera | Orthoptera |
| Family | Acrididae | Pyrgomorphidae |
| Size | 45-65 mm | 40-55 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Heathland |
| Diet | Herbivores | Predators |
| Regions | Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay | Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
South American Locust
A major swarming locust of South America closely related to the desert locust. It periodically forms devastating swarms across Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay.
Did You Know?
After decades of suppression, this species made an unexpected resurgence in Argentina in 2015, forming swarms not seen since the 1950s.
Painted Grasshopper
A strikingly colorful grasshopper with bright yellow and turquoise markings found in the Indian subcontinent. Its vivid coloration warns predators of its toxicity.
Did You Know?
This grasshopper sequesters toxic cardiac glycosides from the milkweed plants it eats, making it poisonous to birds and other predators.