blue-winged locust
Sphingonotus caerulans
Sphingonotus caerulans is a species belonging to the family Acrididae subfamily Oedipodinae.The northern limit is northern France, eastern Sweden and southern Finland.
45
Countries
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sphingonotus_caerulans
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Orthoptera
Family
Acrididae
Genus
Sphingonotus
blue-winged locust belongs to the family Acrididae, order Orthoptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
Sphingonotus caerulans is a species belonging to the family Acrididae subfamily Oedipodinae.The northern limit is northern France, eastern Sweden and southern Finland. In Central and Northern Europe the species is restricted to low-vegetation special habitats, in which the soil remains free of vegetation through constant rearrangement. It is very common in the Mediterranean area, especially in rocky heaths.
The blue-winged locust faces significant threats from habitat loss and degradation due to agricultural intensification and urban development across its range. Climate change is altering precipitation patterns and temperature regimes in the dry grasslands and scrublands this species depends on, while overgrazing by livestock further degrades suitable habitat.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Inhabits dry grasslands, scrublands, and semi-arid steppes with sparse vegetation, typically in areas with sandy or rocky soils. The species prefers open habitats with scattered shrubs and low-growing vegetation in Mediterranean and continental climate zones.
Threats
Agricultural intensification and conversion of grasslands
Urban and infrastructure development
Climate change altering habitat conditions
Habitat fragmentation
Overgrazing by livestock
Found in 45 Countries
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (VU).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | VUVulnerable | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | VUVulnerable | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). blue-winged locust (Sphingonotus caerulans). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/blue-winged-locust