description Rocky Mountain Locust Overview
The Rocky Mountain locust (Melanoplus spretus) was a migratory insect species native to the western half of the United States. During the 19th century, the species gathered in massive swarms that caused severe agricultural damage across the Great Plains. The insect experienced a sudden population collapse in the late 1800s due to habitat loss from agricultural expansion into its breeding valleys. The last confirmed specimens were collected in 1902, officially rendering the locust extinct.
help Rocky Mountain Locust FAQ
When did the Rocky Mountain locust go extinct?
The species was officially declared extinct in 1902. The last living specimens were reportedly collected in the late 19th century before the populations vanished entirely.
What caused the extinction of the Rocky Mountain locust?
Their extinction is heavily linked to the destruction of their river valley breeding grounds by settlers. Agricultural practices and irrigation in the American West destroyed the eggs buried in the soil.
How much damage did the Rocky Mountain locust cause to 19th-century farms?
During the 1870s, massive swarms caused millions of dollars in crop damage across the American prairies. The 1874 swarm reportedly covered territories spanning over 100,000 square miles.
Are Rocky Mountain locusts related to modern grasshoppers?
They were a distinct species of short-horned grasshopper scientifically known as Melanoplus spretus. Despite their historical devastation, they are entirely separate from the grasshopper species that exist in North America today.
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