Egyptian migratory locust

Egyptian migratory locust Anacridium aegyptium) on a rock above Locarno.

Photo © Jürg Schlegel, Richterswil

A locust living in the wild that is as big as a small bird? And in Switzerland to boot and in the middle of winter?

Those searching in house facades and rocks in the Ticino region can sometimes see huge winged insects in the middle of the winter who are sunning themselves without moving. These are usually Egyptian migratory locusts (Anacridum aegyptium), a species widespread in the Mediterranean region and in North Africa that has been spreading in the Ticino region for some years. The locust hibernates as a fully grown insect outdoors, which is unique among indigenous locusts. On cold winter days, it crawls into protected crevices and can probably also withstand a few minus degrees every now and then. The Egyptian migratory locust is benefiting from climate change and has now spread northwards into the Bellinzona area. Despite its huge size of up to 7 cm and a wing span of up to 14 cm that makes the locust reminiscent of a small bird, it is absolutely harmless for people. It feeds off plants but does not tend to form swarms which is why it also does not cause any notable damage, at least in Europe. This in contrast to the “classical” migratory locust (Locusta migratoria) that can ensure biblical scourges but only occurs very rarely in Europe.