Who doesn’t know grasshoppers? Animals belonging to this type of insect live all around us. The species are diverse and have tens of thousands of species worldwide. Grasshoppers are flying insects that belong to the Order orthoptera and suborder caelifera.
Grasshoppers have two pairs of wings, namely forelegs and hind wings. A distinctive feature of the grasshopper’s wings is that the front wing of the grasshopper is narrow and rough. While the wings on the back are larger and have a membrane.
Considering that grasshoppers are flying insects, one of the characteristics of grasshoppers is that they are strong and have large hind legs. The grasshopper’s hind legs are used for jumping and then flying. Then, grasshoppers also have short antennae.
Females and males of grasshoppers also have differences. Female locusts are usually larger than males and have two pairs of triangular structures at the end of the abdomen, which they use to dig for sand when laying their eggs.
Grasshopper life cycle
Like other animals, grasshoppers also have a life cycle. In general, grasshoppers reproduce in the summer. When mating, male grasshoppers will deposit spermatophores containing sperm, into the ovipositor or egg holder in female grasshoppers.
There are at least three stages of the grasshopper life cycle, according to Animal Sake.
1. Eggs
In mid-summer, the grasshopper life cycle begins. Their life cycle starts from the egg. The female grasshopper will lay eggs.
The eggs released by the female grasshopper are more than 10 eggs. Each egg contains about 10 to 300 eggs which are shaped like rice. It takes at least 10 months for the eggs to hatch and become nymphs.
2. Nymph
Nymphs are the form of grasshoppers after they hatch from eggs. Usually, they are referred to as young nymphs. Young nymphs are miniature versions of adult grasshoppers, except that they are light in color and have no wings.
When they hatch, they will first eat the soft leaves of the plant. Only after that, the nymphs undergo 5-6 times the change of skin before becoming adults. When molting, the size of the nymph will grow rapidly.
The nymph stage will last for 5-10 days. However, this time will depend on the temperature and humidity.
3. Adult
After 25-30 days, the wings will be fully developed and the nymphs will become adults. The total time it takes from egg to adult grasshopper takes about eleven months. Adult grasshoppers will reproduce within 15 days.
Usually, adult grasshoppers have a life span of 30 days. During that time, the adult grasshopper has had the wings to be able to roam more widely than it was to become a nymph like before.
In addition to having a cruising range, adult grasshoppers are also able to defend themselves from predators.
In total, grasshoppers have a life span of 12 months or 1 year. However, studies suggest that only 50 percent of nymphs will live to become adult grasshoppers. This is because grasshoppers are natural enemies for birds, mice, and lizards.
 Locust life cycle/ Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto/Anuphong Panyamoon
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Types of Grasshoppers
Here are the types of grasshoppers:
1. Wood Grasshopper
This grasshopper is often called the wood grasshopper because it is dark brown, like the color of wood. Wood locusts live in the leaves on bushes, or in various types of trees. Their favorite food is leaves.
2. Praying Mantis
If previously it was called a wood locust because it was similar to wood, then a praying mantis is called that because it has the habit of closing its two front legs, like people who are worshiping.
The praying mantis is a carnivorous insect that preys on insects, even eating its own friends, aka cannibals.
3. Green Grasshopper
This green grasshopper is an insect pest. Green grasshoppers have a good camouflage system, you know. He can change his body color to brown when the temperature in his environment is high.
4. Stone Grasshopper
Stone grasshoppers are insects that are gray in color with black spots. Usually stone grasshoppers like open places. There are also many, once found they can number up to 30 individuals. They are the ones who usually perch on the feces of cows or pigs.
That’s the life cycle of the grasshopper and its stages. I hope it’s useful:
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