The Egyptian Locust (Anacridium aegyptium) is an insect in the Acrididae family and Cyrtacanthacridinae family of grasshoppers and locusts. It is also known as the Egyptian Grasshopper.

The Egyptian Locust has a long grey-brown or olive coloured body with a beige-orange strip along its back, called a pronotum. Near the pronotum are several white spots. It has short grey antennae. Its wings are clear with dark marks. Its legs have darker brown bands. It is easily identifiable by the vertical stripes on its large eyes.

Egyptian Locust

It grows to about 5 centimetres (2 inches) long, making it one of the largest grasshoppers in Europe.

The Egyptian Locust is common across most of Europe and in North Africa. It prefers trees and shrubs, scrublands, and orchards.

It is a folivore, feeding on leaves and plants.

The Egyptian Locust is a solitary species (it does not swarm in groups). It is not harmful to crops. It is active throughout the year, but mainly from August to October.

Egyptian Locust

Egyptian Locust

Egyptian Locust

Egyptian Locust

Location of photographs: Asgata, Cyprus and Tbilisi, Georgia

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM