Unique animals of the Galapagos Islands: Large painted locusts

Large painted locusts https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schistocerca_melanocera

These beautiful colorful locusts, endemic to the Galapagos Islands, typically grow to around 8 centimeters in length. The large painted locusts are an important part of the food chain on the islands, serving as principal prey for lava lizards https://galapagosy.com/galapagos-news/galapagos-lava-lizards/ and the Galapagos hawk

You can spot them during your Galapagos islands excursions. Galapagos guide will tell you all the details about this species.

Description

he large painted locust (Schistocerca melanocera) is endemic to the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador, except Española Island. The locusts form a large part of the diet of the Galápagos hawk and lava lizards. Can be up to 8 cm long.

Threats: Lava lizards and Galapagos hawks are native predators, however it is unlikely that this has a detrimental effect on the population size of the locust.

The best option is Galapagos islands day tours! We’ll help you to choose best islands to visit in Galapagos for observing this species.