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desert locust

American  

noun

  1. a migratory locust, Schistocerca gregaria, of North Africa and Asia, associated with the plagues described in the Old Testament.


Etymology

Origin of desert locust

First recorded in 1940–45


Example Sentences

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Unlike the desert locust, this species does not form massive swarms, but its frequent appearances and smaller groupings can cause even greater harm to local farmers.

From Science Daily ● Jan. 24, 2026

El Nino, a recurring and natural climate phenomenon that affects weather worldwide, was also strongly tied to bigger and worse desert locust outbreaks.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 14, 2024

A typical desert locust swarm can contain up to 150 million locusts per square kilometer, according to the East African regional body, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 8, 2021

"Only time will tell based on whether more desert locust invasions are reported in the future in the Ethiopian Highlands."

From BBC ● Apr. 30, 2010

There, for a change, they have joined forces to fight a common enemy: the desert locust.

From Time Magazine Archive

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