Locustana pardalina

Definition

A medium-sized locust species, sole member of the monotypic genus Locustana (family Acrididae), native to Southern Africa and renowned for exhibiting classic density-dependent phase polymorphism: isolated individuals develop into cryptic, sedentary solitaria forms, while crowding triggers a switch to brightly colored, highly mobile, swarming gregaria forms. The brown locust is a significant agricultural pest in the Karoo and semi-arid regions, with outbreak populations capable of long-distance migration and substantial crop damage.

Etymology

Genus name Locustana from Latin locusta (locust/grasshopper) + -ana (belonging to); specific epithet pardalina from Latin pardalis (leopard), referring to the spotted pattern of gregarious nymphs.

Example

In outbreak years, Locustana pardalina gregaria bands may march tens of kilometers per day across the South African Karoo, consuming native vegetation and pasture grasses; control operations often target gregarious nymphs before they fledge and develop migratory capacity.

Synonyms

• Brown locust

Related Terms

• phase polymorphism
• gregaria
• solitaria
• Locusta migratoria
• Schistocerca gregaria
• Acrididae
• Outbreak
• swarming behavior
• density-dependent phenotypic plasticity

Usage Notes

The species epithet is sometimes misspelled 'pardalina' versus 'pardalinus' in older literature; Walker (1870) original combination was Acridium pardalinum. As the only species in its genus, Locustana pardalina serves as a key comparative model for locust phase research alongside the desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria) and migratory locust (Locusta migratoria). The common name 'brown locust' refers specifically to the solitaria coloration; gregarious individuals appear yellow-orange with black patterning.