The Italian locust (Calliptamus italicus) is a species native to southern Europe – different from the desert locusts that wreak havoc in East Africa. All locusts are grasshoppers, but not all grasshoppers are locusts. Grasshoppers are solitary creatures, out hopping between blades of grass. Locusts are a small handful of grasshopper species until they enter a swarming phase, which is known as gregariousness. The Italian locust has the potential of starting a locust plague. In fact, they are known for causing one in Khazikstan from 1998 to 2001. Females are larger than males.