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Get to Know a

Grasshoppers can be found almost anywhere—caves, deserts, meadows, mountains, and wetlands. The more than 10,000 known species bouncing across the globe can be divided into

two major types, long-horned (shown above) and

short-horned.

The “horn” refers to the antennae. A long-horned

adulto

GRASS HOPPER

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75CatCh one if

you Can!

(then re lease i t back

in to the wi ld. )

Get to Know a

grasshopper’s antennae are usually longer than its body.

Most grasshopper species lay their eggs in autumn to hatch in the spring. The eggs are laid in clusters, usually in the soil, and are often protected by a froth that is emitted by the mother. When an egg hatches, a nymph emerges. As it grows, a nymph goes through several stages called instars. At the end of each instar, it sheds its skin.

When it finally emerges as an adult, a grasshopper is usually ½ inch to 5 inches long, depending on the species. Most are green or brown, but they can also be red, yellow, black, gray, or blue, in various patterns. Some change color during the seasons. The life span of most grasshoppers is 3 to 5 months.

nympho

eggso

ContinueD

grasshopper’s antennae are usually longer

GRASS HOPPER

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q To protect themselves from predators such as birds, rodents, and other insects, some grasshoppers spit a brown liquid nicknamed “tobacco juice” that startles the attacker and gives the hopper time to escape.

Others scare away predators by exposing bright colors on their hind wings or sides or hide by mimicking bark or dead leaves. Some species store toxic chemicals that make them taste awful.

A grAsshopper hAs . . . three main body parts: q head thorax abdomen

six legs

five eyes: two compound eyes, each containing many lenses, and three simple eyes called ocelli, one near each antenna and one in between

two ears: A long-horned grasshopper’s ears are on its front legs; a short-horned grasshopper has an ear on each side of its abdomen.

wings: two pairs, in most cases. A few flightless species have short, stubby wings or none at all. Hard forewings protect the fragile hind wings while folded. Many grasshoppers rub or clap their wings together or against other body parts, such as their legs, to make sounds.

Grasshoppers, depending on the species, eat grasses, grains, or other vegetation, including weeds or plants that are poisonous to cattle. A few eat other insects. Occasionally, hoppers eat paint, caulking, or the mesh in a window screen.

To protect themselves from predators such as birds, rodents, and other insects,

nicknamed “tobacco juice” that startles the attacker and gives the hopper time

It Spits !

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QWhat goes into

Grasshopper Pie?

ANot iNsects!

Mint, marshmallow, and whipped cream.

Learn how to make one at Almanac4kids.com

/GrasshopperPie.

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Saved by St. Urho?many people, especially those of Finnish descent, celebrate March 16 as St. Urho’s Day. Legend has it that Urho drove grasshoppers out of the vineyards of ancient Finland. Festivities include parades and potluck meals, and celebrants wear purple and green, despite the fact that 32 species of grasshopper continue to thrive in Finland.

especially those of Finnish descent,

grasshoppers out of the vineyards of ancient Finland. Festivities include parades and potluck meals, and Festivities include parades and potluck meals, and

Do You Know Any . . .

some scientists classify

katydids as a type of long-horned grasshopper. Most of the approximately 6,000 species live in the tropics. They are named after one species that repeatedly calls out “Katy did, Katy didn’t” each evening. They could have been named “copy Katys” for their ability to blend in with leaves or twigs and mimic other insects, such as moths or wasps.

KooKy

did, Katy didn’t” each evening. They could have been named

Katydids?

ContinueD

When katydids begin to sing, it’s said that there are only 6 more weeks of summer.

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CiCadas, often mistaken for locusts, are not grasshoppers. Some cicadas are periodical: They tend to mature together. For example, once every 17 years, thousands of cicada nymphs of a certain brood emerge from the ground and climb trees and shrubs to molt into adults. Sometimes the shed skin of a cicada nymph can be found clinging to a tree trunk.

loCusts like to be alone, but with the right combination of rain, vegetation, and timing, these short-horned grasshoppers will breed in high numbers, forming a plague, or swarm.

Kansas was nicknamed the Grasshopper State after a plague of Rocky Mountain locusts attacked the area in 1874. The Kansas State Historical Society reports that during this time, the insects ate the wool off sheep, the clothing off people, and the wooden handles off tools.

Scientists use satellites to monitor weather patterns and plants to help predict locust outbreaks, especially those of the

destructive desert locust in Africa and Asia.

climb trees and shrubs to molt into adults. Sometimes the shed skin of

dog-day cicadas emerge annually. males sing during the dog days of summer (July 3 to august 11), which, according to folklore, are the hottest and most unhealthy days of the year (see article, p. 35). it is said that dry weather

will follow their first song and frost will occur 6 weeks later.

ComebaCK Cicadas?

Scientists use satellites to monitor weather patterns Scientists use satellites to monitor weather patterns

Locusts?LoCo