GRASSHOPPERS

Grasshoppers are insects that can hop, walk, and fly. Many male grasshoppers make noise by rubbing their back legs together. There are about 10,000 different species of grasshoppers.

METAMORPHOSIS

Grasshoppers undergo simple (or incomplete) metamorphosis; eggs hatch into nymphs, which look like little adults without wings and reproductive organs. Nymphs molt many times as they grow to be adults.

DIET & PREDATORS

Grasshoppers eat plants. Their predators include birds, beetles, rodents, reptiles, and spiders. Some flies also eat grasshopper eggs.

ANATOMY

Like all insects, the grasshoppers have a three-part body (head, thorax and abdomen), six jointed legs, two pairs of wings, and two antennae. Their body is covered with a hard exoskeleton. Grasshoppers breathe through a series of holes called spiracles; they are located along the sides of the body. Most grasshoppers are green, brown, or olive-green. The biggest ones are about 4.5 inches (11.5 cm) long.

LEGS: The long hind legs are used for hopping. The short front legs are used to hold prey and to walk.

ABDOMEN: the segmented tail area of a grasshopper, which contains the heart, reproductive organs, and most of the digestive system

ANTENNAE: like all insects, grasshoppers have 2 segmented antennae that sense touch and odors

COMPOUND EYE: grasshoppers have 2 faceted eyes made up of many hexagonal lenses

HEAD: the head is at the front end of the grasshopper's body and is the location of the brain, the two compound eyes, the mouth parts, and the points of attachment of its two antennae.

JUMPING LEG: the long, hindmost pair of the grasshopper's six legs

MANDIBLES: the jaws, located near the tip of the head, by the palps; the jaws crush the food

PALPS: long, segmented mouth parts (under the jaws) that grasp the food

SPIRACLES: a series of holes located along both sides of the abdomen; they are used for breathing

THORAX: the middle area of the grasshopper's body - where the legs and wings are attached

WALKING LEGS: the four, short front legs that are used for walking

WINGS: grasshoppers have two long wings, used for flying.