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Department of Agriculture

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  1. Home
  2. Biosecurity and trade
  3. Pests, diseases and weeds
  4. Locusts
  5. Australian locusts
  6. Locust and grasshopper identification guide
  7. Description of nymphs
  8. 9. Giant or Hedge grasshopper: Valanga irregularis (nymph)

Sidebar first - Pests diseases weeds

  • Description of nymphs
    • 1. Australian Plague Locust: Chortoicetes terminifera (nymph)
    • 2. Spur-throated locust: Austracris guttulosa (nymph)
    • 3. Migratory locust: Locusta migratoria (nymph)
    • 4. Small plague grasshopper: Austroicetes cruciata (nymph)
    • 5. Other Austroicetes species (nymph)
    • 6. Eastern plague grasshopper: Oedaleus australis (nymph)
    • 7. Yellow winged locust: Gastrimargus musicus (nymph)
    • 8. Bermius brachycelus and other Bermius species (nymph)
    • 9. Giant or Hedge grasshopper: Valanga irregularis (nymph)
    • 10. Heteropternis obscurella (nymph)
    • 11. Peakesia hospita and other species (nymph)
    • 12. Urnisa guttulosa (nymph)
    • 13. Aiolopus thalassinus (nymph)
    • 14. Caledia captiva (nymph)
    • 15. Wingless grasshopper: Phaulacridium vittatum (nymph)

9. Giant or Hedge grasshopper: Valanga irregularis (nymph)

​Nymph description 9 of 15

Graphic: photo of 4th stage Valanga nymph.

Distribution

Graphic: Distribution map - found in northern Australia.

Nymph Description: Colour is very variable. Early instars tend to be green to brown with variable strong dark patterns. Yellow and orange and pink patches appear later with wing buds often pink. In profile the body has the head held very high and the line of the top of the body concave, particularly in early instars. The rear legs are long and visibly thinner than in most nymphs and have two prominent bands on the femur. The oblong eye is vertical in profile with a thin dark stripe facing down. The slightly crested thorax develops a dark front half and light back half appearance in profile.

Confusion with Australian plague locust: Hard to confuse.

Confusion with Austracris: Both have a large, long, often colourful body with long back legs (compare photos).

Unique features: The main difference from Austracris is the generally strong patterned colour of the body, the presence of bands on the rear femur and the absence of the white stripe on the top of the thorax.

Further information on this species: Description of adult

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Last updated: 04 November 2019

© Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.