The insects of the genus Phymateus are African locusts that are about 70 mm (2.8 in) long. Some species are capable of flying for long periods of time, raise their wings and rustle when disturbed, and may secrete poisonous fluids from the joints of the chest. These locusts feed on highly venomous plants and usually gather in large numbers on trees and shrubs, arranged in a manner similar to leaves. Although fully developed wings, the female locust of Phymateus morbillosus cannot fly.
This is a locust that lives in Madagascar, named Rainbow Milkweed Locust, also known as Rainbow Bush Locust. In general, in the animal kingdom, bright colors represent poison, and this principle also applies to the rainbow milkgrass locust.
The rainbow milkgrass locust also carries this toxin in its body because it eats the poisonous milkweed. This amazing creature is 10 centimeters long, and a pair of large jaws are terrifying, be careful of being poisoned by its bite.
Phymateus viridipes
Green-toothed locust, a venomous locust living in Africa (can use glandular secretions to defend against its natural predators), males are 40-53mm long (including wing lengths 52-65mm), females are 62-75mm long (including wings up to 74-87mm in length), this species contains two subspecies, they have no other color except green body color, the color of the inner wings is red and blue, the inner wings of one of the subspecies are mainly red, the peripheral color of the protruding part of the dorsal armor is red, and there are also all-green individuals, Distribution: Africa (Angola, Mozambique, etc.).
Malagasy toothed locust Phymateus saxosus
Distribution: Madagascar
In addition to African locusts, other continents also have beautiful and extraordinary poisonous locusts!
Rainbow locust
Dactylotum bicolor
Distribution: United States, Canada, northern Mexico
The locust, called the rainbow grasshopper (Dactylotum bicolor), lives in the vast lands of North America, and is found in the United States, Canada and northern Mexico. Wearing a gorgeous camouflage costume is one of its highlights.
Rainbow locusts are about 20 mm long for males and 35 mm long for females, and their wings are short and unable to fly.
Petasida ephippigera
Leichhardt locust
Distribution: Northern Australia
They are bright orange, with bright blue patches on the back of the chest and black markings on the hindwings, and they are undoubtedly poisonous as well.
Aak locust
Poekilocerus pictus
Poekilocerus pictus are large colored locusts from India, a species notorious for the nymphs that spew milky liquid several inches away when caught.
The nymphs are yellow-green with fine black and crimson spots. Adults have yellow-green stripes and pale red hindwings.
Dictyophorus spumans
South African foam locust
Distribution: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique
The South African foam locust (Koppie Foam Grasshopper) is a large colored insect that lives in the grasslands of South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, reaching a length of up to 80 mm.
There are 5 subspecies of the South African foam locust, and the body color varies by region. Adults have wings and can fly short distances. Nymphs and adults eat plants that contain toxins. Thus, when attacked by predators, it releases foam on the jagged joints of the neck, which contains toxins accumulated from the plants it eats.
More beautiful insects, we will continue to explore next time.