Yellow-spined bamboo locust (Ceracris kiangsu)

Ceracris kiangsu
Photo by Long Zhang
Taxonomic classification
Suborder:	Caelifera
Family:	Acrididae
Subfamily:	Oedipodinae
Tribe:	Parapleurini
Genus:	Ceracris
Scientific name
Ceracris kiangsu Tsai, 1929
Geography
Native countries:
China Laos Thailand Vietnam Taiwan
Pest status
Known pest

The yellow-spined bamboo locust (Ceracris kiangsu) is a major pest of bamboo and various grain crops across China and Southeast Asia. This species is known for its strong feeding activity and persistence, making it difficult to control once populations build up. Its life cycle and feeding habits are closely tied to bamboo ecosystems, where it remains one of the most damaging forest pests in the region.

Taxonomy

For full nomenclature and taxonomic details of this taxon, see Orthoptera Species File

Identification

The yellow-spined bamboo locust belongs to the subfamily of band-winged grasshoppers (Oedipodinae) who are recognized by their typically cryptic body coloration—grays, browns, or sandy tones—that help them blend into soil or vegetation, combined with their strikingly colored hind wings, which are usually concealed at rest. When flushed into flight, these wings may show yellow, orange, red, or blue fields often edged with black, a key feature distinguishing them from other subfamilies. Many species also produce a characteristic crepitation during flight. They are well adapted to arid and temperate habitats and rely on camouflage and sudden flight for defense.

Identification details

Adult Ceracris kiangsu are green to yellow-green, with dark, filiform antennae that have white tips on the distal segments. The pronotum features a distinct median carina but lacks lateral carinae, marked by a yellow stripe running along the midline from the head to the pronotum. A characteristic black ring is present near the end of the hind femur. Nymphs are bright reddish-orange and black with the same yellow stripe as adults. Antennae are very long. In males greater than twice the length of the head and pronotum.

Three other Ceracris species, distinct from C. kiangsu, occur as minor pests in Southeast Asia. C. deflorata (northeastern India, Burma) feeds on grasses, sweet potatoes, and teak, laying 14–22 eggs per pod in hard soil from mid-June to late August. C. fasciata (southern China, Burma, Thailand) appears in late summer and autumn, damaging sugarcane and preferring shaded Miscanthus bamboo or forest-edge vegetation. C. nigricornis (northern India to Taiwan) is present in summer and autumn and affects gramineous crops in southern China and Taiwan.

Distribution

Distributed in Southeast Asia, mainly in China, Vietnam and Laos, also found in India and Thailand. Widespread in bamboo forests south of Yangtze river In China.

For more information and distribution records see [GBIF]

Biology

Ceracris kiangsu is univoltine, overwintering in the egg stage. Eggs are laid in late summer and hatch in early May. Nymphs pass through five instars, with adults appearing by early July. Optimal development occurs at 27–30°C and 70% relative humidity. Nymph development takes approximately 10 weeks. At high population densities, early-stage hoppers may form aggregations that can cause significant damage to vegetation. Adults that emerge during June–August and keep feeding on bamboo leaves for about 40 days. and references therein. Adult locusts generally live for 40–50 days.

Overwintering eggs of C. kiangsu survive cold through a freeze-avoidance strategy. In a 2023 study, eggs had a supercooling point of −23.9 °C and 26.6% survival after 6 h at −22 °C. Rapid cold-hardening and cold acclimation nearly doubled survival to ~50%. Both treatments increased glycerol levels, while protein and trehalose changed little, indicating glycerol is the main cryoprotectant enhancing cold tolerance in this species.

Earlier research noted that C. kiangsu nymphs and adults tend to be gregarious, with late instar nymphs sometimes forming migratory bands. These observations, along with this species' migratory tendencies, led some authors to suggest that C. kiangsu might show density-dependent phase polyphenism. However, there is no conclusive evidence that C. kiangsu changes its color, morphology, or behavior in response to population density.

For China, the main source areas for C. kiangsu migration are mostly in northern Laos, following three primary migration routes with distinct timing and spatial patterns. Migration occurs from late June to early August, peaking in July, with the Laos–Niuluohe border corridor being the most significant.

Habitat and ecology

Yellow-spined bamboo locust group credit: Long Zhang

Ceracris kiangsu is a bamboo-feeding specialist whose life cycle and behavior are closely tied to the ecology of bamboo forests. While its primary food source is bamboo, especially mōsō bamboo (Phyllostachys_edulis), this locust can also consume wild grasses, palms, Chinese banana, tiger grass, and occasionally crops such as rice and maize when bamboo is scarce. This strong dependence on bamboo, combined with its ability to adapt to other plants during shortages, makes C. kiangsu a persistent and ecologically significant pest in bamboo-dominated landscapes. Most eggs are laid on southeast-facing mountain slopes at 300–400 m, though some occur as high as 780 m. Nymphs prefer light perches, but both nymphs and adults seek cooler areas when temperatures exceed 32°C.

C. kiangsu exhibits puddling behavior around human urine; attracted by NaCl along with other components of urine. This phenomenon is being explored to use as bait for control in China.

Land-use change

In recent years, as China’s economic forest area has expanded, damage from the yellow-spined bamboo locust has resurged. Since June 2020, the migration of C. kiangsu across the China–Laos border in Yunnan Province has caused significant agricultural and forestry losses, drawing close attention from the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the National Forestry and Grassland Administration.

A 2024 study combined records of C. kiangsu occurrences with climate models to predict its current and future potential distribution across China. The species’ spread is mainly influenced by how dry the driest month is and how cold the coldest month gets. Currently, C. kiangsu is mostly found south of the Qinling–Huaihe River, with southern Hubei, western Jiangxi, and eastern Hunan being the most suitable areas. In the future, the total area where it can live may go up or down depending on the climate scenario, but highly suitable areas are expected to grow. Southern Yunnan, southeast Sichuan, and southwest Chongqing are likely to become new hotspots, so these regions should be monitored closely.

Management

Yellow-spined bamboo locusts in Vietnam photo by Hoa An Commune People's Committee

Due to C. kiangsu being a prolific feeder, long-lasting pest, it is difficult to control. Field monitoring is essential for effective management, involving surveys to estimate the density and distribution of eggs, nymphs, and adults to guide timely and targeted control efforts. Cultural control practices, such as planting shrubs in bamboo forests to reduce habitat suitability, ploughing to expose and destroy egg pods, and manually collecting nymphs and adults by sweeping, can also help lower population levels. Despite these options, chemical control remains the most widely used management strategy, typically involving large-scale ultra-low volume (ULV) spraying by air or ground equipment. The best results are achieved when treatments target population peaks of 3rd instar nymphs or earlier stages, with insect growth regulators such as diflubenzuron.in However, young nymphs are less destructive and serve as a food source for birds, lizards, and other natural enemies. Historically, hexachlorobenzene fumigants were used and insecticide spraying is still widely practiced. More sustainable, convenient, and cost-effective methods are needed.

A possible alternative control method for Ceracris kiangsu involves using infochemicals as bait. The locusts are strongly attracted to urine- and sweat-soaked materials, with sodium chloride (NaCl) acting as a feeding stimulant and ammonium bicarbonate (NH₄HCO₃) serving as an attractant. Field tests in bamboo forests showed that a 1:1 mixture of these compounds effectively lured adults to consume treated materials, suggesting potential for developing this blend into an attractant-based trap to help manage locust populations.

Biological control measures include spraying spores of the microsporidian Paranosema locustae in a water-based formulation and applying the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium acridum suspended in an oil-based carrier, typically diesel. Although these agents act more slowly than chemical insecticides, their effectiveness has been demonstrated. When used early in an outbreak—especially during the more susceptible 2nd and 3rd instar stages—and applied at higher doses, they can effectively suppress locust populations even at high densities. in

Pest status

Damage from Yellow-spined bamboo locusts in Vietnam. Photo: Hoa An Commune People's Committee

The yellow-spined bamboo locust is among the earliest recorded forest pests in China, with records dating back to the Jiaqing period of the Ming Dynasty. It is regarded as a major pest in China, Laos, and Vietnam. During severe locust outbreaks, C. kiangsu can strip bamboo forests of their leaves, killing young bamboo and preventing new growth for 2–3 years following the event.

Significant damage typically starts when the locusts reach the 3rd instar stage and peaks during the 5th instar and adult phases. Swarms can migrate long distances, causing severe destruction and triggering large-scale outbreaks. During such events, this locust can consume nearly all shoots and leaves, often forcing farmers to replant crops—or resulting in complete crop failure if seed supplies are depleted.

Its preferred food is bamboo, including Arundinaria hindsii, A. murielae, Dendrocalamus latiforus, Miscanthus sinensis, Phyllostachys bambusoides, P. congesta, P. edulis, P. puberula, and Shibataea simensis. Adults also feed on banana, maize, millet, rice, sorghum, and other crops.

Three additional Ceracris species, distinguishable from C. kiangsu, are occasional minor pests in Southeast Asia. Little is known of their life cycles, but all appear univoltine. Ceracris deflorata occurs in northeastern India and Burma. Adults feed on grasses, sweet potatoes, and occasionally teak. Eggs are laid in hard soil from mid-June to late August and presumably overwinter. Eggs measure 4.5–5.25 mm, with 14–22 eggs per pod. Ceracris fasciata is found in southern China, Burma, and Thailand. Adults appear in late summer and autumn. It has been recorded damaging sugarcane, and in China, prefers Miscanthus bamboo in shaded areas. In Thailand, it inhabits grassy or shaded forest-edge vegetation. Ceracris nigricornis has the widest range, from northern India, Burma, and Thailand through Vietnam to southern China and Taiwan. Adults are present in summer and autumn. It is listed among agricultural pests in southern China and reported as a pest of gramineous crops in Taiwan.

Outbreaks

Yellow-spined bamboo locust damage 2020 credit: Long Zhang

In 2020, large numbers of yellow-spined bamboo locusts caused problems for agricultural production in Laos, Vietnam and spread throughout China’s southwestern province of Yunnan. Swarms were first detected in China where local authorities deployed management campaigns primarily using drones to spray pesticides (pyrethroids). Three to four large swarms were observed, potentially containing more than 80 million individuals. Corn (~3,000 ha) and bamboo trees (~10,000 ha) were particularly damaged. Regional cooperation was called for to keep the situation contained.

In Laos, the yellow-spined bamboo locust was widespread across the nine districts of Northern Laos and damaged over 5,000 hectares of crops in 2019.

In 1946, nearly 6,000 ha were infested with C. kiangsu, causing crop losses valued at 3,400,000 Chinese dollars. Reported damage has occurred in China, including Szechwan, Hunan, and Kiangsi.

Organizations associated with the yellow-spined bamboo locust

Organization name	Acronym	Website	Type	Focus	Focus keywords	Geographic purview
Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs	MOA	View	Government	Development, Governance		China

Resources

Title	Author(s)	Year	Geographic purview	URL
CABI Green Muscle education videos	Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International	2021