Tag swarm

What are the similarities and differences between a Grasshopper and a Locust?

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What are the similarities and differences between a Grasshopper and a Locust?

The Grasshopper and the Locust are both insects in the Acrididae family of grasshoppers, groundhoppers, and locusts. They are acridids. 

The Grasshopper has no sub-family, whereas the Locust has three sub-families – 1) Spur-Throated Grasshopper, 2) Band-Winged Grasshopper, and 3) Slant-Faced Grasshopper.

The Grasshopper does not always become a Locust, whereas the Locust is a Grasshopper. 

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Desert Locust

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The Desert Locust (Schistocerca gregaria) is an insect, similar to a grasshopper.

The Desert Locust is green, grey or brown to match the colour of the foliage (plants) around them. During the swarming phase, it becomes yellow with dark markings.  When they are grey, their underbelly and face are pink. When they are older, their underbelly is yellow. It has long antennae. It has long wings and long legs.

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Nuptial flight of termites

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What is the nuptial flight of termites?

The nuptial flight of termites is when they mate to produce babies.

Alates are winged termites and their job is to reproduce. There are male and female alates.

Ants and other insects may also have a nuptial flight, generally at night. The nuptial flight of termite alates is a bit different. Termites are weak fliers so they wait until perfect weather conditions before they swarm to establish a new colony.

Termites take their nuptial flight (they swarm) in the middle of the day, when it is sunny, there is no wind, and after it has rained.

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