Spur-throated Locust

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Spur-throated Locust

Spur-throated Locust

Austracris guttulosa

This species has a one year life cycle. Eggs are laid in the soil. Nymphs hatch from November through to February. Immature adults are found in autumn and winter.

Details Description
Type
Invertebrate
Group
Insect - Locust
Identifying Characteristics

Adults range from 50-80 mm in length with slim, pale brown bodies with a longitudinal white stripe. Nymphs are green when they hatch and develop a black stripe down the middle of the back. Hind legs have two rows of white spines. Hindwings can be colourless or have a slight blue tinge.
Distinctive Markings

Larger than other locusts. They possess a spur between the front legs.
Diet

Herbivore. Mainly grasses but also other plants, in particular Sorghum, Sunflowers and Soybeans.
Habitat

During winter, adults spend most of their time roosting in trees along water systems or in woodland adjacent to crops or grasslands.
Native Status
Native to Australia
Taxonomy
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Orthoptera
Family
Acrididae
Genus
Austracris
Species
guttulosa
Spur-throated Locust
Major breeding areas include the Gulf region of northern Australia, southern Queensland, northern Western Australia and the north-west plains of New South Wales. Young adults will migrate and are often found in southern New South Wales, northern South Australia and in Victoria.

Distribution maps indicate current and historic locations where species have been sighted.

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

Conservation Status
DEPI Advisory List
Not listed
FFG Act
Not listed
EPBC Act
Not listed

The conservation status of species is listed within Victoria and Australia.

The Department of Environment and Primary Industry (DEPI) Advisory List consists of non-statutory advisory lists of rare or threatened flora and fauna within Victoria.

The Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act) lists threatened species in Victoria. Under the Act, an Action Statement is produced for each listed species.

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) is the Australian Government’s key piece of environmental legislation, listing nationally threatened native species and ecological communities.