Phenotypic plasticity in grasshoppers and locusts: a review

Abstract

Phenotypic plasticity is a crucial adaptation mechanism in the animal kingdom, where a single genotype can modify its outward features in response to stimuli from the outside. Changes in shape, behaviour, and life history features are just a few ways in which phenotypic plasticity can be observed in insects. Body size, wing length, and colouration are examples of how morphology can alter in reaction to environmental factors. This phenomenon allows animals, especially insects, to modify their physical characteristics, behavioural patterns, and life history features in response to environmental stimuli. This article addresses the phenotypic plasticity observed in locusts and grasshoppers, highlighting their impressive ability to alter morphological, physiological, and behavioural traits in response to environmental changes. This review seeks to establish a fundamental comprehension of the mechanisms that govern phenotypic plasticity in grasshoppers and locusts, with the goal of laying the baseline for future scientific investigations into this novel phenomenon.