A Desert Locust, Schistocerca gregaria, found at Southampton Docks, Hampshire, England in 2004.
As well as having native species in their collection of insects, Hampshire Cultural Trust also keeps data of more exotic specimens that have occasionally arrived by accident in the UK through commerce – like this solitary Desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria, which was collected live on Southampton docks.
This is the species of Short-horned grasshoppers which has given rise to the notorious plagues of rapidly flying insects that have caused so much damage to agricultural crops in Africa, the Middle East and Asia throughout history.
