This paper describes a rapid cold hardening process for first instar hoppers of the migratory locust Locusta migratoria L. First instar hoppers of this species are often subjected to subzero temperatures or frosts in early April or May after their emergence from the soil. The mean supercooling point of hoppers is -13.0 +/- 1.4 degrees C; the fact that none could survive this temperature suggests they are freezing intolerant. When young hoppers were transferred directly from 30 degrees C to -7 degrees C for 2 h, there was only 35.8% survival. However, exposure to 0 degrees C for 2 h prior to transfer to -7 degrees C increased the apparent survival to 75%. A similar rapid cold hardening response can also be induced by gradual cooling at rates of between 0.05 and 0.1 degreess C min(-1). Rapid cold hardening also elevates the Ltime50 of first instar hoppers at -7 degrees C by approximately 3 fold, and reduces the lethal temperature from -10 degrees C to -12 degrees C. However, the protection from cold shock gained through rapid cold hardening was transient and easily lost within 2 h of hoppers being returned to 30 degrees C. The rapid cold hardening response is possibly advantageous to first instar hoppers that are often exposed to large temperature fluctuations in spring or early summer.