May 2025 - Week 2 Roundup

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Desert locust

Sighted on: 14.May.2025

This week, the object of fascination for our guests was a grasshopper. From its size, body structure, and coloration, it closely resembles the Desert Locust (Schistocerca gregaria) or a related migratory grasshopper species commonly found in the Kalahari and arid parts of Africa. Its most prominent key features were visible:

• Long wings and robust hind legs for strong flight and jumping

• Camouflaged brown and grey coloration — perfect for blending into dry grass or reed walls, like the one it's on

• Vertical, pupil-like eyes and long antennae

• Tightly folded wings along the body, with fine speckling

Interestingly, in spotting this creature, guests enjoyed interpreting its coloration — a classic example of camouflage, helping it avoid predation by birds such as hornbills and rollers.

When environmental conditions shift (such as after rains), some grasshopper species like Schistocerca can transform into gregarious, swarming forms — a phenomenon that ties into both insect ecology and the cultural history of the region (e.g., locust plagues).

Content Creator / Photographer:

Zizie Seitaa

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