Desert locusts inhabit deserts and take several hours to lay eggs. They typically lay eggs after sunset to avoid the extreme daytime heat. However, some females that delay egg-laying may start laying the next morning, even in the face of ground temperatures as high as 50°C.
Scientists recently made a fascinating discovery. During the day, 90% of female locusts have a male locust on their backs. At first glance, it may seem like they are mating, but upon closer inspection, it turns out that the females are laying eggs while the males are acting as parasols. The males are dedicatedly protecting their spouses from the heat while they lay their offspring. They even change their position in sync with the sun’s movement. Thermal imaging cameras reveal that females with male locusts on them have lower body temperatures than those fully exposed to the sun.
