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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. 7. Yellow winged locust: Gastrimargus musicus (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)

7. Yellow winged locust: Gastrimargus musicus (nymph)

​Nymph description 7 of 15

Graphic: photo of 4th and 5th stage yellow winged locust nymphs - females are much larger than males.

Distribution

Graphic: Distribution map - found throughout most of Australia.

Nymph Description: In profile the thorax is domed well above the head in a well defined semi circle with a sharp crest. Dark stripes run from the antennae, along the eyes and across the thorax at a 45 degree angle, meeting at the top of the thorax (i.e. V shaped from above). Hind femur banded, as seen from above, but less distinct when viewed from the side. Rear tibia dark. The second wing bud has a dark spot along the top. This species is an infrequent pest of pasture and crops. When population densities are high, bands can form.

Confusion with Australian plague locust: None, as the domed thorax and larger size makes it very different.

Confusion with migratory locust: Similar size and domed appearance but lacks the hairy 'chest' (underside of thorax) of Locusta (compare photos).

Unique features: The pronounced crested dome immediately distinguishes it from plague locust nymphs. Other species with an eye stripe can be confused here (especially Locusta and Oedaleus). However, the combination of a large domed thorax, banded rear femur and spotted second wing bud is unique together with a hairless 'chest'.

Phases: When gregarious, the dome on the thorax can flatten out and the colour may darken from the normal green-light brown to deep brown. Their shape is similar to gregarious Locusta nymphs but Locusta differs by the thorax becoming almost saddle-shaped and changing to bold black and orange.

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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