Grasshopper

Grasshopper (family Acrididae and Tettigoniidae), any of a group of jumping insects (order Orthoptera) that are found in a variety of habitats.... more

by Marty Fancy

Title

Grasshopper

Artist

Marty Fancy

Medium

Photograph

Description

Grasshopper (family Acrididae and Tettigoniidae), any of a group of jumping insects (order Orthoptera) that are found in a variety of habitats. Grasshoppers occur in greatest numbers in lowland tropical forests, semiarid regions, and grasslands. They range in color from green to olive or brown and may have yellow or red markings. At high population densities and under certain environmental conditions, some grasshopper species can change color and behavior and form swarms. Under these circumstances they are known as locusts.

The femur region of the upper hind legs is greatly enlarged and contains large muscles that make the legs well adapted for leaping. The male can produce a buzzing sound either by rubbing its front wings together or by rubbing tooth like ridges on the hind femurs against a raised vein on each closed front wing.

The grasshoppers have had a long relationship with humans. In certain parts of the world, grasshoppers are eaten as food. They are often dried, jellied, roasted and dipped in honey or ground into a meal. Grasshoppers are controlled in nature by predators such as birds, frogs, and snakes. Swarms of locusts have had dramatic effects that have changed the course of history, and even in smaller numbers grasshoppers can be serious pests. Humans use insecticides and poison baits to control them when they become crop pests. They are featured in art, symbolism and literature.

Uploaded

October 18th, 2012