In this article we will discuss about the structure of Locust (Schistocerca) with the help of a diagram.
1. They are commonly known as short- horned grasshoppers and are gregarious insects spending their life in two phases – (A) Solitary non migratory phase & (B) migratory phase.
2. They are found in arid regions in tropical parts of the world.
3. Body can be differentiated into head, thorax and abdomen.
4. Head bears paired antennae, 26 segmented antennule & compound eyes.
5. Thorax is differentiated into pro, meso and metathorax.
6. The wings are two paired. The first pair is elongated, leathery and straight and is known as tegmina, while the second (2nd) pair is large and membranous.
7. The abdomen has 11 segments of which the last is vestigial and bears a pair of oval cerci.
8. An ovipositor of several plates is also present.
9. The first abdominal segment bears a tympanum which acts as sound producing organ.
10. These insects cause extensive damage to crops.