New Species of Grasshoppers and Locusts Are Appearing in Slovakia. Slovak Scientist to Attend World Congress in Argentina
Slovak ecologist Anton Krištín is participating in the 15th International Congress of Orthopterology, to be held from March 8 to 12, 2026, in San Martín de los Andes, Argentina. The event is one of the world’s most important gatherings of experts studying Orthoptera – grasshoppers, locusts, and crickets. Scientists from around 40 countries are expected to attend, presenting several hundred lectures and posters.
New technologies are currently transforming research on this group of insects. “For example, scientists now use geolocators and fluorescent markers to track the movement and mobility of insects in nature. Significant advances are also being made through modern acoustic analysis, which allows researchers to study the communication of grasshoppers and crickets in greater detail. Genetic methods also play an important role, helping scientists better understand species evolution and distinguish closely related species,” explains Anton Krištín from the Institute of Forest Ecology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences.
In recent years, several new species of Orthoptera have been recorded in Europe. This trend is linked not only to climate change but also to broader global changes, including the movement of species through international transport. “In Slovakia alone, we have recorded five new species in the past five years. One of them is an endemic grasshopper species that lives only in the alpine regions of the Western Tatras,” says Anton Krištín.
Current research focuses on evolution, genetics, ethology, and the conservation of this ancient insect group. The congress also provides an important platform for exchanging knowledge, planning joint research projects, organising scientific expeditions, and strengthening cooperation between universities. According to Krištín, Slovak research plays an important role in international discussions. Slovakia hosts exceptionally diverse habitats within a relatively small territory – from 94 to 2,655 meters above sea level – which contributes to high species diversity. “In Slovakia, we have recorded 134 species of Orthoptera, which is remarkably high for a country of this size and exceeds the numbers recorded in some larger countries in Western or Northern Europe,” the scientist explains.
After the congress, researchers will continue with fieldwork in nearby parts of the Andes from March 13 to 18. During this expedition, they will collect samples and study local species directly in their natural environment – possibly even discovering new ones.
Edited by: Jozef Bednár
Photo: Anton Krištín archive