A grasshopper and a locust are both types of insects belonging to the order Orthoptera. However, they have different characteristics and behaviors.
1. Grasshopper: A grasshopper is an herbivorous insect that typically lives in grassy areas. It has long hind legs adapted for jumping and short antennae. Grasshoppers are known for their ability to produce a chirping sound by rubbing their wings or legs together. They are generally solitary insects and do not pose a significant threat to crops or vegetation.
2. Locust: A locust, on the other hand, is a type of grasshopper that undergoes a behavioral change called gregarization. When environmental conditions, such as overcrowding or scarcity of food, trigger this change, locusts form swarms and become highly mobile. They have the ability to fly long distances and can cause significant damage to crops and vegetation. Locust swarms can be devastating to agriculture and pose a threat to food security in affected regions.
In summary, while grasshoppers are solitary insects that do not cause major harm, locusts are grasshoppers that have undergone a behavioral change, forming swarms and becoming highly destructive to crops.