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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. 10. Heteropternis obscurella (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)

10. Heteropternis obscurella (nymph)

​Nymph description 10 of 15

Graphic: photo of 3rd and 5th stage Heteropternis nymphs.

Distribution

Graphic: Distribution map - found throughout most of Australia.

Nymph Description: Colour is dark brown to almost black, sometimes green. In early instars there is a very pronounced white stripe on the side from the front of the head below the eye to mid thorax at a 45 degree angle. In later instars the stripe stays along the head but becomes less distinct on the thorax which develops a strong light collar along its back edge. In grey-brown individuals the stripe is whitish while in green ones it is a lighter green. The legs and underside of the body have a visible layer of hair. The antennae are slightly longer than the head is high and are dark with a light tip. The hind femur is banded with a strong single band in early instars but less distinct in later ones. The rear tibia are dark with a light top quarter.

Confusion with Australian plague locust and Austroicetes: General shape, markings and size are very similar but they lack the 'X' mark on top of the thorax.

Unique features: The combination of the long dark antennae with a light tip, hairy legs and underside of body, with the light stripe on the lower face and light collar along the rear of the thorax, and no 'X' mark on 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.