Although not called a locust in English, this species shows gregarious behaviour and some morphological change (phase polymorphism) on crowding.

It consumes a fairly wide variety of grasses, but in the Sahel, it has a preference for cram-cram (Cenchrus biflorus).

However, most eggs of the third generation enter into diapause and survive the long dry season as a partly developed embryo.

Outbreaks are frequent in Sahelian countries such as Senegal, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and northern Nigeria, especially during wet years following several dry ones.

As with many locust species, outbreaks may be controlled with insecticide spray operations: usually at ULV rates of application and often via government or donor-aid sponsorship.

A biological pesticide product called 'Green Muscle', which is based on an entomopathogenic fungus (Metarhizium acridum), is now available (see desert locust).