Garden Locust Acanthacris ruficornis

Photo of Garden Locust (Acanthacris ruficornis)

(c) Hildegard Klein, some rights reserved (CC BY)

OrderGrasshoppers, Crickets, and Katydids (Orthoptera)
FamilyShort-horned Grasshoppers (Acrididae)
GenusTree Locusts (Acanthacris)

This bird grasshopper ranges across Africa and southern Europe—an impressive geographic span that speaks to its remarkable adaptability. Found in gardens and agricultural areas throughout its range, it thrives in both natural ecosystems and human-modified landscapes. The name 'garden locust' suggests a particular affinity for cultivated areas, making it an important study subject for understanding how insects exploit human environments. Its presence across varied habitats and climates indicates it's a generalist—capable of handling diverse food sources, temperatures, and seasonal patterns that would challenge more specialized grasshopper species.

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