migratory locust: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical, Scientific, Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “migratory locust” mean?
A species of locust (Locusta migratoria) known for forming massive, destructive swarms that migrate over long distances.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A species of locust (Locusta migratoria) known for forming massive, destructive swarms that migrate over long distances.
A large grasshopper species with a distinct swarming phase, capable of causing extensive agricultural damage. It is often used as the classic example of a plague insect. In a metaphorical sense, it can refer to any large, destructive, and moving group.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling of related terms follows regional conventions (e.g., behaviour/behavior).
Connotations
Identical strong connotations of agricultural devastation, biblical plagues, and natural disaster.
Frequency
Equally low in everyday speech but standard in entomology, agriculture, and news reports about plagues.
Grammar
How to Use “migratory locust” in a Sentence
The [ADJ] migratory locusts [VERB] the [NOUN].A [ADJ] swarm of migratory locusts descended on [PLACE].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “migratory locust” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The fields were completely migratory locusted within hours.
- (Note: 'locust' as a verb is rare; 'devastated by migratory locusts' is standard).
American English
- The region got migratory locusted last summer, wiping out the sorghum crop.
adverb
British English
- (Not applicable; 'migratorily' is not used).
American English
- (Not applicable).
adjective
British English
- The migratory-locust threat level was raised to severe.
- They studied migratory-locust behaviour.
American English
- The migratory locust swarm stretched for miles.
- Migratory locust management is a key research area.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Discussed in contexts of agricultural risk management, crop insurance, and commodity market volatility.
Academic
Central subject in entomology, ecology, and environmental science papers on phase polymorphism and swarm dynamics.
Everyday
Used in news reports about famines or agricultural disasters in Africa, Asia, or the Middle East.
Technical
Precise reference to the species, its life cycle, swarm triggers, and control measures (e.g., pesticide spraying).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “migratory locust”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “migratory locust”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “migratory locust”
- Using 'migratory' as a noun (e.g., 'The migratory are coming.').
- Misspelling as 'migratory' or 'migratorial'.
- Confusing with the desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria), a different species.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are different species. The migratory locust (Locusta migratoria) and the desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria) are both swarming locusts but have different geographical ranges and some biological differences.
Typically, no. They are powerful fliers but generally migrate over landmasses. However, swarms can cross significant water bodies like the Red Sea with favourable winds.
They are polyphagous, meaning they eat many kinds of plants, but they primarily target grasses and cereal crops like maize, wheat, and rice, consuming their own body weight daily.
Control involves monitoring, early warning systems, and targeted application of insecticides via ground or aerial spraying to kill nymph bands before they form flying swarms. Biological control methods are also researched.
A species of locust (Locusta migratoria) known for forming massive, destructive swarms that migrate over long distances.
Migratory locust is usually technical, scientific, journalistic in register.
Migratory locust: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmaɪɡrətəri ˈləʊkəst/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmaɪɡrəˌtɔːri ˈloʊkəst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A plague of biblical proportions (often evoked by locust swarms)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a LOCUST that needs a MIGRATORY bird's passport because it travels so far.
Conceptual Metaphor
DESTRUCTION IS A DEVOURING SWARM; OVERWHELMING NUMBERS ARE A PLAGUE.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary distinguishing feature of the migratory locust?