Grasshoppers are solitary insects. They are the oldest chewing herbivorous insects having strong hind legs. The young ones are commonly called hoppers. They make sounds by rubbing their hind legs with wings.
Grasshopper – Eyprepocnemis
This grasshopper may belong to the Sub – family Eyprepocnemidinae, and the Genus Eyprepocnemis.
The genus Eyprepocnemis is described by the German Botanist and Entomologist Franz Xaver Fieber around the year 1853.
He was born on 1 March 1807, in Prague. He was a member of The National Academy of Germany. He studied the insects in the Order – Orthoptera & Hemiptera and also contributed several publications. He died on 22 February 1872, in Chrudim.
Grasshopper – Genus Eyprepocnemis
These species have a broad black band in the center along with two long stripes on the sides. The stripes may be in pale brown.
The head is slightly slanted with mouth at the bottom.
They have compound eyes, which enables them to see all sides.
The wings have brown spots.
They have short and stout antennae , hence they are commonly referred as short – horned grasshoppers.
They also have a hearing organ on the side of the first abdominal segment (the body part), just where the hind legs is attached to the body. It is a thin membrane which sends signals according to the sound vibrations. On closer observation, we can see it.
Grasshopper – Eyprepocnemis – side view
The characteristic feature of the grasshoppers – the hind legs, are slightly bluish grey in colour.
While we speak about grasshoppers, it is also interesting to know about Locusts.
Some grasshoppers in the Family – Acrididae (short – horned grasshoppers) change their behavior in dense population under certain circumstances forming a group called swarm. These swarming grasshoppers are known as Locusts.
This transformation from grasshoppers to locusts is caused by the secretion of certain hormones. This usually occurs when there is a new green vegetation after a period of drought. This is referred to as the migratory phase or gregarious phase.
First, the nymphs (young ones) form the swarm, growing into a much stronger locusts with modifications in their body, which helps them to hover in the air for a long time.
Below are some common differences between these two insects.
| Grasshopper | Locust |
|---|---|
| They live separately. | They live in groups. |
| The wings are wide, so they can fly over short distance only. | The wings grows long and strong. So, they can fly over longer distances. |
| They eat at a normal rate, causing less harm to plants. | They eat vigorously destroying every green plant in sight. |
| They can live in one place for a long period of time. | They migrate from one place to another. |
| They can be seen in green, brown or sometimes in bright colours. | As the nymphs grow, their original colour changes. |
| They reproduce normally | They reproduce at an increased rate, forming a more larger group. |
Millions of locusts destroying a vast area of farm land is referred as ‘plague’.