Grasshoppers are plant-eating creatures often regarded as pest or destructive creatures. They have been mentioned in the Bible as such and throughout history they were considered as destructive animals due to their ability to destroy large vegetation and plantations in very short period of time.
Although we have negative connotations on these small creatures they are somehow important in our ecosystem. They serve as foods to many species of birds, reptiles and amphibians.
And unknown to some, grasshoppers are important source of foods and nutrients also to humans. Grasshoppers are eaten in the Philippines, Thailand and other Asian countries.
Eastern Lubber Grasshopper
The Eastern Lubber Grasshopper (Romalea guttata) or simply Lubber Grasshopper is a brightly colored grasshopper endemic to the United States. It is not only remarkable for its unique coloration, but also for its size that can reach nearly 8 cm in length. This lovely looking grasshopper is also colloquially known as a “Graveyard Grasshopper.” When disturbed, this insect emits a dark colored and foul-smelling secretion.
Mountain Grasshopper
This pretty insect is known as Mountain Grasshopper (Monistria sp.). This particular grasshopper is photographed near Mt Feathertop in Victoria, Australia.
Red-legged Grasshopper
The Red-legged Grasshopper (Melanoplus femurrubrum) is a notable grasshopper species of Canada, Mexico, and United States. The back of this insect is reddish-brown, its belly is yellow and its hind legs are red, hence its common name.
Common Field Grasshopper
The Common Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus) is a remarkable grasshopper species that can be found in Asia, Europe and North Africa. It usually lives in dry and sparse grassland. From summer up to October, this insect is very hairy.
Differential Grasshopper
The Differential Grasshopper (Melanoplus differentialis) is a notable species of grasshopper of Canada, Mexico and United States. This insect is regarded a pest in most of its range. On the average, it can attain a length of 40 mm. It is brownish or greenish in color, but darken as it grows older.
Miramella irena
This glossy and beautiful grasshopper is a notable species of grasshopper from Croatia. This particular grasshopper was taken from Istria, Croatia.
Two-striped Grasshopper
The Two-striped Grasshopper (Melanoplus bivittatus) is a grasshopper species which is considered a pest in Canada and in the United States. It has a pair of pale yellow stripes running along the top of its body from above its eyes to the hind tip of its wings, hence its common name.
Meadow Grasshopper
The Meadow Grasshopper (Chorthippus parallelus) is a notable grasshopper species of the region between Asia and Europe. It is commonly found in non-arid grasslands and prefers moist vegetation and river valleys. The Meadow Grasshopper on the above photo is photographed in Belgium.
Parapodisma tanzawaensis
The Parapodisma tanzawaensis is a notable grasshopper species that can be found in Japan. The grasshopper on the above photo was taken at Honshu, Japan.
Plagues of the Desert Locust
This is the most popular, controversial and the most destructive grasshopper in the world!
Plagues of the Desert Locusts (Schistocerca gregaria) are considered pest in Africa, Middle East and Asia. These creatures have threatened agricultural production in these areas for hundreds of years now. These destructive and voracious insects have affected the livelihood of about 1/10 of the world’s population. This particular species is considered the most dangerous of the locust pests because of the ability of swarms to fly rapidly across great distances.
Nicely done. I never thought that there are many kinds of grasshoppers. For some regions of the world people consider them as pest. In others they can be a source of food.
2nd photo is indeed very pretty. i remember capturing grasshoppers was one of our hobby as a child.
and, locusts are an exotic dish in Pampanga.
did you took those photos? they look amazing! it's very rare now that to see grasshoppers. i don't know.
What a collection, sir! I didn't know they had so many…
I didn't know there are many kinds of grasshoppers! LOL Poor me.
I especially like that second photo. As a kid, I have always been fascinated with creepy crawlies. This post is really interesting and informative.
Interesting to know about these grasshoppers. I'll share this with my lil boy who'll surely be interested to see these great photos. I think I only have seen one or two of those kinds in my entire life. TFS 🙂
I'm now scared of the desert locust. Is this the same as the one in the bible included in the 7 plagues.
What I saw in the province when I was at grade school are just the green and the brown grasshopper. I thought they turned into brown when they were already old. Now I know there's so many kinds and colorfull grasshoppers =)
Thanks for the info. This made me google if a praying mantis is related to a grasshopper and it turned out that they are different. I just remember one of the character in the Kung fu panda was a mantis, I would have nominated it on this list had it qualified as a grasshopper.
Hello Sir Donald! I was just wondering.. would the kind of grasshopper that we have here in the Philippines, can be found from one of those cited above (only those seen in Asia)? Can't seem to make a clear comparison. 🙂
Hello Sir Donald! I was just wondering.. would the kind of grasshopper that we have here in the Philippines, be found from one of those cited above (only those seen in Asia)? Can't seem to make a clear comparison. 🙂
I've only seen the green grasshopper so far… There was also a time when they infested the farm in our area…but I am not scared of them. haha.
So many kinds of grasshopper but the on that destroys the agricultural crop should be cropped too. he he he
Great new information for me. I wonder where does Mask Rider got his BlackHopper motorcycle idea from. Hahaha!
very interesting! i love seeing how they differ from each other thru their colors. Though, I never liked a grasshopper. haha!
surprisingly, i learn a lot from your site. i must admit i hate science growing up but your site is easy-read.
the funny part is i grew up playing with grasshoppers. i'm so familiar with those of specie no 4. i even knew those with extra long legs and and the green ones that grow as long as the size of the thumb.
i never thought of them as pest… hihihi because they mainly eat grass during those encounters. 🙂
ah ok… reading franc ramon's comment – those with extra long legs were praying mantis… (told you i never liked science *blush*)
You could probably start up something like a discovery channel or some sort. Ever think about doing that?
I feel pretty fortunate that we don't have invasion-level amounts of these insects in our country's farmlands. Just imagine the horror and economic effect on the entire population!
I remember how we used to play with grasshoppers when we were kids. We would take off their powerful hind legs so that they couldn't jump and fly away. This is an informative blog.
I'm not a big fan of grasshoppers but I do find this one very informative. Also, is the last one the same as what's in the Bible?
didnt know that there are lots of dangerous grasshoppers! very informative post indeed.
OUCH!! Just seeing those long spiky legs of these grasshoppers… I'm so terrified already.
I have not seen any grasshoppers for how many years.. I think we can only see these creatures where there are healthy green lands.
My gosh, the only time I'll ever eat/taste grasshopper is when I join contests like Survivor or something..
I never really liked grasshoppers–kinikilabutan ako when I see one. hehe. Although it's interesting to know that there are different kinds of grasshoppers which I never knew before.
i was once fascinated by grasshoppers… and that is in my childhood days. i guess, im challenged in capturing them and liked their color and size… but i let them loose after. Yahweh bless.
My son who is fascinated with top-ten-most-of-anything will be delighted to read this blog. Actually, he is reading it now which makes it hard to type this comment. :p