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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. 4. Small plague grasshopper: Austroicetes cruciata (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)

4. Small plague grasshopper: Austroicetes cruciata (nymph)

​Nymph description 4 of 15

Graphic: photo of an Austroicetes cruciata 4th stage nymph.

Distribution

Graphic: Distribution map - found in parts of WA, SA, NSW & VIC

Nymph Description: Colour can be brown to green. From above the thorax has fairly distinct 'X' mark, more prominent than on adults. The rear femur has distinct bands, from above seen as 3 dark and 3 light. From the side the bands are at an oblique angle across the femur. The rear tibia are completely dark in early instars and light in later ones. Antennae are short, from the side about one to one and a half times the upright length of the eye. From the side the head and thorax show a light triangular shaped pattern among the general mottling. This species can form bands.

Confusion with Australian plague locust: Sometimes forms bands, similar shape and with an 'X' mark on top of thorax..

Confusion with other species of Austroicetes: Similar in most respects.

Unique features: The combination of the 'X' mark with the bands on the rear femur being at an oblique angle,short antennae, and the shank either wholly dark or light. The plague locust has femur bands at a 90 degree angle, longer antennae, a light band at the top of the tibia and is larger. It is difficult to pick the difference between A. cruciata nymphs and other species in this genus. However, A. cruciata has a limited distribution and is the only species in this genus to commonly form bands.

Further information on this species: Description of adult

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Page last updated: 04 November 2019

We acknowledge the continuous connection of First Nations Traditional Owners and Custodians to the lands, seas and waters of Australia. We recognise their care for and cultivation of Country. We pay respect to Elders past and present, and recognise their knowledge and contribution to the productivity, innovation and sustainability of Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries.

Artwork: Protecting our Country, Growing our Future
© Amy Allerton, contemporary Aboriginal Artist of the Gumbaynggirr, Bundjalung and Gamilaroi nations.

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