What kind of tree and grasshopper have the same name?

This shared name connects a notorious insect with a resilient tree, bridging the animal and plant kingdoms through a linguistic quirk. In the world of insects, a locust is not a separate species, but rather the swarming phase of certain types of short-horned grasshoppers. Triggered by specific environmental conditions like crowding, these insects undergo a dramatic transformation in behavior and even appearance, forming the massive, crop-devouring plagues known since ancient times.

In the plant world, the name belongs to a genus of trees, most famously the black locust and honey locust. These hardy, fast-growing trees are native to North America and are well-known for their durable, rot-resistant wood, often used for fence posts and furniture. Many varieties are also distinguished by their fragrant flowers and the formidable thorns that protect their trunks and branches, making them a fixture in both natural landscapes and cultivated gardens.

The connection between the two is not biological but historical. The name was likely applied to the North American tree by early European settlers. One popular theory suggests they named it after the "locusts" eaten by John the Baptist in the Bible. While many picture the insect, biblical scholars often believe this referred to the edible pods of the carob tree. This etymological link, rooted in a centuries-old story, is why a swarming grasshopper and a thorny tree ended up with the exact same name.