Large Painted Locust (Schistocerca melanocera)
Santa Fe Island
Galapagos
Ecuador
These beautiful colorful locusts, endemic to the Galapagos Islands, typically grow to around 8 centimeters in length. The large painted locusts are an important part of the food chain on the islands, serving as principal prey for lava lizards and the Galapagos hawk.
The large painted locust is one of two species of painted locust endemic to the Galapagos Islands. First described by Carl Stål in 1861, they can easily be identified by their bright colouration.
They are found on all islands except for Española, where the small painted locust is present. They are abundant in the lowlands, particularly after heavy rainfall, and can often be seen surrounding lights on the inhabited islands.
The large painted locust is not closely related to any mainland species, but it is believed they most likely colonised the Galapagos Islands by flight as they are very strong fliers. They are also very good jumpers, easily able to reach up to 3 metres.
The large painted locust belongs to the genus Schistocerca. Commonly called bird grasshoppers, is a genus of grasshoppers, many of which swarm as locusts. There are around 50 other species in the genus of which the best known is the desert locust.
Large Painted Locust (Schistocerca melanocera)
Santa Fe Island
Galapagos
Ecuador
These beautiful colorful locusts, endemic to the Galapagos Islands, typically grow to around 8 centimeters in length. The large painted locusts are an important part of the food chain on the islands, serving as principal prey for lava lizards and the Galapagos hawk.
The large painted locust is one of two species of painted locust endemic to the Galapagos Islands. First described by Carl Stål in 1861, they can easily be identified by their bright colouration.
They are found on all islands except for Española, where the small painted locust is present. They are abundant in the lowlands, particularly after heavy rainfall, and can often be seen surrounding lights on the inhabited islands.
The large painted locust is not closely related to any mainland species, but it is believed they most likely colonised the Galapagos Islands by flight as they are very strong fliers. They are also very good jumpers, easily able to reach up to 3 metres.
The large painted locust belongs to the genus Schistocerca. Commonly called bird grasshoppers, is a genus of grasshoppers, many of which swarm as locusts. There are around 50 other species in the genus of which the best known is the desert locust.