Anacridium aegyptium, the Egyptian grasshopper or Egyptian locust, is a species of insect belonging to the subfamily Cyrtacanthacridinae.
A fairly common species, the Egyptian grasshopper is present in most of Europe, the Afrotropical realm, eastern Palearctic realm, the Near East, and North Africa, and has recently been observed in Cape Town, South Africa.
These grasshoppers inhabit trees and shrubs, scrub land, maquis, and orchards in warm and bright environments, at an elevation from sea level to 1,500 m.
Anacridium aegyptium is one of the largest European grasshoppers. Adult males grow up to 30–56 mm (1.2–2.2 in) long, while females reach 46–70 mm (1.8–2.8 in) in length. Their bodies are usually gray, brown, or olive-coloured, and their antennae are relatively short and robust. The tibiae of the hind legs are blue, while the femora are orange. The hind femora have characteristic dark marks. They are also easily identified by their characteristic eyes, which have vertical black and white stripes. Their pronota show a dorsal orange stripe and several small white spots. The wings are clear with dark marks.
This species is a folivore, essentially feeding on leaves of various plants. It is a solitary species, harmless to crops. Adults are mainly seen in August and September, but they are active throughout the year. After mating, these grasshoppers overwinter as adults. Spawning occurs in spring just under the soil surface and the nymphs appear in April. These grasshoppers undergo several molts. Nymphs differ from adults in appearance; their color varies from yellow to bright green and ocher and the wings are absent or small, as they are gradually developed after each molt.
Anacridium aegyptium, commonly known as the Egyptian Grasshopper or Egyptian Tree Locust, is one of the largest grasshoppers in Europe. It is highly recognizable by its striped eyes, blue hind legs, and excellent arboreal camouflage.
Key Facts at a Glance
Size: Females are massive, reaching up to 6.5–7 cm in length. Males are significantly smaller, typically ranging from 3.5 to 5 cm.
Distinctive Eyes: The most definitive identification feature is their eyes, which feature clear, vertical black and white stripes.
Coloration: Bodies range from grey, brown, to olive, which helps them blend perfectly into tree bark and foliage. They feature an orange dorsal stripe on the neck (pronotum) and a row of small white spots.
Legs & Flight: The hind tibiae are blue with orange femora. Only the adults can fly, while nymphs are wingless and rely solely on jumping.
Habitat: Common across the Mediterranean (including southern regions like Spain), they prefer warm, dry scrublands, orchards, and olive groves.
Behavior: Unlike swarming locusts, this species is solitary and entirely harmless to crops. They are mostly leaf-eaters (folivorous).
Life Cycle: They overwinter as adults, mate in the spring, and the nymphs appear in the late spring.
