The spur-throated locust (Austracris guttulosa) is a native Australian locust species in the family Acrididae and a significant agricultural pest.
| Spur-throated locust | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Orthoptera |
| Suborder: | Caelifera |
| Superfamily: | Acridoidea |
| Family: | Acrididae |
| Subfamily: | Cyrtacanthacridinae |
| Genus: | Austracris |
| Species: | A. guttulosa
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| Binomial name | |
| Austracris guttulosa | |
Description edit
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 locust has a life span on between ten and 12 months, from autumn to summer.[3] Overpopulation of spur-throated locusts is managed in Australia by the Australian Plague Locust Commission.
See also edit
- Australian plague locust, Chortoicetes terminifera – another plague locust in Australia
References edit
- ^ "2. Austracris guttulosa (Walker)". CSIRO Australian Insect Common Names. 19 September 2004. Retrieved 18 November 2010.
- ^ "2. Spur-throated locust: Austracris guttulosa - DAFF". Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Australia). Retrieved 18 November 2010.
- ^ a b c "Spur throated locust". Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Commonwealth of Australia. 23 July 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2014.