African desert locust (Schistotecera gregaria) on Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum), artwork. The desert locust is a significant agricultural pest in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. The life cycle (clockwise from lower left) begins with the female laying her eggs in the ground, below a foam plug. The eggs hatch into solitary green nymphs, which go through 5 growth stages (instars) before moulting into its solitary adult form. The offspring of this generation of locusts are much brighter in colour and form swarms of inshoppersins. After 5 instars these moult into their adult form.