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Grasshopper
Nahachagii
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Found worldwide except at the North and South Poles, grasshoppers are
one of the most commonly recognized hopping insects. They are capable
of leaping a distance that is 20 times the length of their bodies. Strong,
enlarged hind legs give them their jumping prowess. They also have six
legs, five eyes, and antennae that function like a nose. Most have leather-like
forewings and membranous, fan-shaped hind wings. The wings lay folded
over their backs when they are at rest. Grasshoppers range in color from
brown to green to sand colored, depending upon their environment. When
handled they can "spit" a brown liquid that may serve to protect
them from some of their predators. Predators include beetles, birds, lizards,
mice, snakes, spiders, cats, and humans. Male grasshoppers sing to their
mates and all grasshoppers eat plants.
There are two main types of grasshoppers. Long-horned grasshoppers have
long antennae, some growing longer than their bodies. This type "sings"
by rubbing the bases of their front wings together. They hear through
organs on their front legs. Some eat insects and/or the remains of animals.
Long-horned grasshoppers include katydids and Mormon crickets. The other
type is called the short-horned grasshopper because its antennae are shorter
and thicker. Short-horn grasshoppers create sounds by rubbing their hind
legs against their front wings. They hear through an organ on their abdomen.
This group includes the migratory locusts, which sometimes swarm and migrate
over long distances, often causing great damage to plants and crops in
their paths. In some areas of the world people eat the swarming locusts
after they have removed their wings and legs. Grasshoppers are in the
order Orthoptera.
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