Phymateus aegrotus

Phymateus aegrotus
Phymateus aegrotus. Museum specimen
Nymph
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Orthoptera
Family: Pyrgomorphidae
Genus: Phymateus
Species: P. aegrotus
Binomial name
Phymateus aegrotus
(Gerstaecker, 1869)
Synonyms
  • Phymateus hildebrandti Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1884
  • Poecilocera aegrota Gerstaecker, 1869

Phymateus aegrotus, the East African Bush Locusts, is a locust in the family Pyrgomorphidae.

Distribution

This species is present in Africa, Northeast Tropical Africa, Somalia.[1][2]

Description

Phymateus aegrotus can reach a length of 80–100 millimetres (3.1–3.9 in) in males, of 60–80 millimetres (2.4–3.1 in) in females.[3] Body is green in colour, while fore-wings are blackish and yellowish. The nymphs (hoppers) in the first instars are mostly black with several small yellowish markings, while in the last instar they are bright green.

Biology

These locusts lay eggs in the substrate (humus-sand mix), The eggs hatch after about 12 months. The life expectancy of adult animals is of 8–12 months.[3] They are capable of long migratory flights.

As with other Phymateus species it raises and rustles its wings when disturbed and may secrete a noxious fluid from its thoracic joint.[4]

The East African Bush Locusts feeds on bramble, Asclepias, bittersweet nightshade, Cestrum nocturnum.[3]

Bibliography

References

  1. Catalogue of life
  2. Orthoptera Species File
  3. 1 2 3 Saltatoria
  4. Field Guide to Insects - Picker, Griffiths & Weaving (2004)


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