Desert Locust - Schistocerca gregaria

There around 13 species of locust. Locusts are grasshopper species that form swarms. When enough of them come together, changes occur. They change colour and eat and breed more. This forms huge swarms that fly long distances and destroy crops. Desert locusts may be the most harmful. The biggest known swarm was made up of around 40 billion locusts.

Bred widely to feed to reptiles, monkeys etc. and sometimes escaping into the wild – although they do not survive our winters. 

Spring to autumn.

Only known as an escapee from stock bred for feeding monkeys, reptiles etc.

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.