What do you see in the following picture?

A hibiscus…leaves…branches…a grasshopper…a section of a vehicle and…Wait! Did you just say…a grasshopper?

Bingo! There really is a grasshopper in the picture. And it is not an ordinary one. Just take a look at its size.

According to the research that I have conducted, this species of grasshopper is called the Locust. Do comment and let us know if this species is not the Locust because I did have a tough time doing research to find out what species he actually belongs to.

Well, for the time being, he is the Locust and we gave him a name. He is called Luki. So, Luki the Locust, as the title implies. Locust is considered as the swarming phase of short-horned grasshoppers from the Acrididae family. Certain species of locust may reach 6 inches (15 cm) in length. We have done a rough measurement to the one in the picture. It was approximately 5 inches.

Okay, here’s a little something to test your eye-sight. Can you spot the difference between the two pictures below? A little hint, focus on Luki.

Picture A

Picture B

Have you found the answer?

Locusts form bands as nymphs, during their immature stage and swarms as adults. Their breeding accelerate under suitable conditions and travel great distances. However, they are capable of stripping fields and damage crops greatly. I hope those holes on the leaves were not done by Luki.

During high population densities, the Locusts are also capable of changing colour and behaviour.

Looks like Luki was interested in the hibiscus

Still “attached” to the hibiscus

A view from the top. Luki was hanging on the branch.

Behind the leaves. Wanna play hide and seek? Gotcha…

That’s all about Luki now. Feel free to comment and share some information about Luki the Locust. And finally, the answer for spot the difference. Luki stretched one of his legs out in Picture B. There you go. Did you get it right?