Phymateus hildebrandti Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1884
Phymateus aegrotus,[1] sometimes called the blue bush locust[2]orEast African bush locust,[citation needed] is a pest species of grasshopper in the family Pyrgomorphidae. Unlike "locusts" the adults are not known to change their morphology on crowding, but at the hopper stage, marching behaviour of small bands may occur.[2]
Phymateus aegrotus can reach a length of 80–100 millimetres (3.1–3.9 in) in males, of 60–80 millimetres (2.4–3.1 in) in females.[5] Body is green in colour, while fore-wings are blackish and yellowish. The nymphs (hoppers) in the first instars are mostly black with several small yellowish markings, while in the last instar they are bright green.
P. aegrotus lay eggs in the substrate (humus-sand mix), The eggs hatch after about 12 months. The life expectancy of adult animals is of 8–12 months.[5] They are capable of long migratory flights.
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Kevan, D.K.M. (1957) Orthoptera-Caelifera from northern Kenya and Jubaland. II. Pamphagidae, Pyrgomorphidae, Lentulidae and Romaleinae, Opuscula Entomologica, Lund (Opuscula Entomologica) 22:193-208
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