#grasshopper nymph

[luckyneinphotos]

September 28, 2023

[kitchencel]

this little freak was trying to get poisoned with cigarette butts then after me giving it a hand to walk onto it hopped onto my leg and started eating my skin

i was wondering what the occasional stinging sensation was since grasshoppers don't have any sort of venom or venom-adjacent substance, upon looking more closely i realized it was bites. at some point the freak stopped on my knee and spent some time eating thicker deader skin which i couldn't feel so i let it continue and didn't try get it off me

[jonnysinsectcatalogue]

Two-Striped Grasshopper - Melanoplus bivittatus

Here we find 2 individuals taking shelter from the hot summer fun by concealing themselves beneath and within giant plants. It's a near perfect hiding spot, but the two hadn't relied on one factor. When looking at the plants from certain angles, the shadows of these Grasshoppers could be seen with clarity, particularly from above, giving away their position. Those shadows piqued my curiosity, and there they were: an adult form Two-Striped Grasshopper and a nymph individual too! The latter was likely near full maturity given its size - which was just shy of the adult's size - and the presence of small wingbuds. In terms of which instar number the younger insect had arrived to, wingbuds typically indicate instar #5 for this specie. From hatching, Grasshoppers keep the same form and grow larger with each molt, and this specie's distinct, dark-colored two-stripe patterning along its body becomes much more prominent. It's not until the final molt into adulthood that reproductive organs are fully grown, wings reach full size to become usable, and their body's stripes change color to a greenish-yellow. Metamorphosis aside, we've got some lovely specimens here beating the heat from a late afternoon sun.

Not only do these Orthopterans have sufficient shade to keep the temperature at a more tolerable level, but they also have access to water which has pooled at stem connections and into channels created by the shape of the leaves. It's my understanding that most Grasshoppers obtain the bulk of their water from the plants that they consume, but they do not outright ignore secondary sources of water such as collected droplets or dew. If anything, this moisture is a blessing here given the potential to desiccate (dry out) if the ambient heat and temperature is too high for too long. This was simply a hot day, however, and nighttime gave some reprieve. As well, these Grasshoppers are relatively large and collect reserves for themselves throughout their lifecycle (as their movement and flight requires tremendous energy), making water loss less of an issue for them. Perhaps these individuals weren't in fact simply seeking shelter from the sun, but rather camouflaging from sharp-eyed predators. If they wanted cooler temperatures, they could've positioned themselves at the plant's bottom, near the soil, but instead they were fairly close to the top. Upon reflection, the motionlessness of the adult individual may indicate that I may have inadvertently spoiled their hiding spot during photography.

Pictures were taken on July 5, 2025 in High Park with a Google Pixel 8a.

[squire-jaybird]

[greencheekconure27]

[meklarian]

Unidentified Grasshopper Nymph, likely Melanoplus / Spur-Throated Grasshopper (Melanoplus Yarrowii?) National Butterfly Center, Mission, Texas, USA December, 2018

[luckyneinphotos]

September 23, 2023

[jonnysinsectcatalogue]

Coralina Locust Nymph - Dissosteira carolina

It gets more difficult every year to offer up a red-colored insect in celebration of Canada Day. Of course, there are several familiar and iconic insects to pick (such as the Milkweed Beetle featured 2 weeks ago), but maybe that's too easy. As it happens, I wasn't sure what to upload, but mother nature seemed to hear my oddly specific problem and answered. Moreover, she answered in way let allowed the blog to continue showcasing insects from some of the more neglected insect order. As such, what do I find among the pine bushes while weeding the patio stones? A very conspicuous Orthopteran walking and climbing among the needles! I couldn't tell you how it got there, but I'm happy to have found it. Sure, it's a brick brownish-red color rather than a brilliant saturated red, but it will do, and what a beautiful specimen it is. While that brick-red coloration might be out of place in a verdant environment, it is intended to be used in a sandy, stone-filled environment in order to camouflage against the ground and more lithic elements.

Crypsis and remaining motionless are the best options this young Grasshopper nymph has to survive since its wings haven't grown yet. Upon arriving into adulthood, this specie will be capable of hurling itself long distances and then using its dark, yellow-bordered wings to truly fly. As such, this individual was at great risk up in the pine bushes, so I picked him up and placed him in the grass below, and then it scampered away quickly. While photographing this nymph, I noticed a few things like I'd like to bring to your attention. There are dark stripes/blotches on the inner hindleg of this Grasshopper (best seen in Pictures 1 and 5). As well, if you look at the pronotum (thoracic plates) of this jumping insect, take note of the notch in the pronotum. Apparently this notch is characteristic of this specie and helps differentiate it from other mottled and gravelly Grasshoppers, and yet, it's such an obvious thing to see. Combine these 2 observations and we for sure have a young Carolina Locust identified. Nevertheless, how it wound up in a pine bush, I'll never know.

Pictures were taken on June 30, 2024 with a Google Pixel 4. Happy (day after) Canada Day! Have a great adventure!