### q3 locusts display phenotypic plasticity > The two "Jekyll and Hyde" versions of the locust are an example of a phenomenon called "phenotypic plasticity." This happens when the [genes](https://www.livescience.com/27332-genetics.html) of the animal go unchanged, but the behavior and physiology changes in response to external factors. "Certain traits are fixed, and certain traits change in response to the environment," Song said. "This is common across all life forms, including us." - [View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01fn7bc9pfym5et28sq85rj7md) - [[What Are Locusts and Why Do They Swarm by Greg Uyeno#q3 locusts display phenotypic plasticity|View in Vault]] see also: [[maize benefits from phenotype plasticity]]