Desert locust

Meet desert locust—one more extraordinary life to discover.

Discover the expedition atlas

A CLOSER LOOK

A reference overview

The desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria) is a species of locust in the grasshopper family, Acrididae. A periodically swarming, short-horned bird grasshopper, it is found primarily in the deserts and dry areas of northern and eastern Africa, Arabia, and southwest Asia. During population surge years, its range may extend north into parts of Southern Europe, Eastern Africa, and Northern India.

Overview excerpt from Wikipedia contributors · Desert locust, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Excerpt may be shortened. Overview retrieved 2026-10-09.

KNOW WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING AT

The evidence behind this discovery

Source-linked

This overview is attributed to Wikipedia contributors and was retrieved on 2026-10-09. Retrieval is not independent scientific review.

Reference media

The picture has a linked creator and license. Extinct-animal images may show a fossil, specimen or reconstruction; a reconstruction is not a photograph of the living animal.

Scope and uncertainty

Map points represent selected regions, not complete ranges or live sightings. References and identifications can change. A linked source is not an expert certification.

Read our evidence and editorial approach →

LET ONE QUESTION OPEN ANOTHER

Where will this discovery take you?

Another insects discovery

Monarch butterfly ↗

Notice similarities, then follow the sources to explore the differences.

FOLLOW A QUESTION

What can a picture tell you? ↗

Use the visual clues to narrow a collection, then compare animals and check their references.

Follow a discovery guide ↗

Saved on this browser.

Return to your collection

Desert locust

A reference overview

The evidence behind this discovery

Where will this discovery take you?

Monarch butterfly ↗

What can a picture tell you? ↗

More insects to discover

Monarch butterfly

Blue morpho butterfly

Common swallowtail

Western honey bee

Bumblebee

Seven-spot ladybird