Locust Life Cycle – 5 Stages
The life cycle of a locust can be divided into five stages: egg, nymph, juvenile, adult, and reproductive. Locust Life Cycle – 5 Stages.
The locust lays its eggs in the ground. The eggs hatch into nymphs, which are small and look like ants. The nymphs grow and shed their skin four times as they mature. They become juveniles and then adults. The adults mate and the females lay eggs. The eggs hatch and the cycle starts over again.
Life Cycle of Locust
1) The Egg – Stage 1 –
After fertilization, the female locusts usually lays her eggs inside holes made in warm, damp soil or sand known as pods. The female locusts produce a froth-liquid that encloses the eggs which ensure hydration and protection from predators. After this, the eggs undergo further development and enter the nymph stage.
2) The Nymph – Stage 2 –
After 10 days to two weeks of egg-laying, the eggs hatch and nymphs come out. These newly hatched locusts are called hoppers or nymphs. Gradually as the nymph grows, they shed their skin or moult five times. These moulting phases are known as instars. After the fifth instar, the nymph develops wings and reproductive organs.
3) The Fledglings – Stage 3 –
After the fifth moulting, even though the nymphs have fully grown wings, they are still soft and fragile. Due to this, the fledgelings are unable to fly yet. During this stage, the exoskeleton of fledgeling locust becomes harder. Fledgelings also consume large amounts of plants in order to conserve energy for reproduction and wing development.
4) The Adult – Stage 4 –
After about two weeks, the fledgelings become sexually mature. During this stage, the adult locust is mostly migrating and constantly feeding. Adult locusts tend to gather in large groups and invade green plants or crop fields. The life expectancy of adult locusts is around eight to ten weeks. During this the male and female locusts mate, the female locusts lay eggs and the entire cycle begins again. Locust Life Cycle – 5 Stages.
