At the word "grasshopper", most people probably think of the image of a small kind green horse from a children's song. However, the insect world is able to surprise, and does it quite often.
Today we will introduce you to the largest representatives of the orthoptera squad with knees back!
1
Steppe fish / Saga pedo
For living, this species prefers cereal or feather grass steppes, however, they can also be found in other types of landscape. Unfortunately, Dybka is a steppe endangered species listed in the Red Book of Ukraine and Russia. The reasons for the decline in the population can be considered as a natural reduction in the distribution area (fires, soil erosion, change of flora), and artificial factors (plowing of land for agricultural needs, deforestation of shrubs).
The body of the Dybka, green with a yellow longitudinal stripe, reaches 70-80 mm, in females it is also necessary to take into account the length of the ovipositor - up to 40 mm. Such dimensions make Dybka steppe the largest grasshopper in Russia.
By the way, on our site thebiggest.ru there is an interesting article about the biggest bugs in the world.
2
Fat Pallas / Deracantha onos
The uniqueness of the species lies in the fact that its representatives during evolution lost their ability to jump. This feature makes this species completely defenseless, especially before human agrarian activity (grazing, development of land).
These motley insects feed mainly on cereals, but cannibalism is possible in captivity.
The sizes of the Fatstones range from 40-50 mm in males to 50-60 mm in females. This species is named after the first scientist who described it - P. Pallas.
3
Giant Ueta / Deinacrida heteracantha
The world's largest grasshopper lives in New Zealand and reaches a length of 30 to 100 mm! The weight of pregnant females can exceed the mark of 70 grams.
The body color is brown. To protect and seek food, its hind legs are equipped with large sharp spikes, which the grasshopper throws forward sharply in case of danger.
The giant Ueta are of ancient origin. They are endemic to New Zealand and lived there long before the appearance of small mammals. Accordingly, this explains their gigantism.
4
Grasshopper Sparkling Devil / Panacanthus cuspidatus
This insect with a terrifying name and appearance reaches a length of 60-70 mm.
The body of the grasshopper is bright green, and each limb is covered with sharp, most yellow, spikes. In case of danger, the needle-like devil rises sharply on his hind limbs, pushing the forelimbs forward. He waves them until the enemy retreats.
Despite the hostility to enemies, he is quite peaceful and calm, feeds mainly on seeds of flowering plants.
5
Grasshopper / Elimaea Poaefolia
The Malay Archipelago is the birthplace and sole habitat of a masked grasshopper mask. Its name is fully explained by appearance. A flat green body with many veins allows its owner to become invisible to enemies, turning into a real leaf of a tree.
Different types of this species can have a length of 30 to 60 mm, depending on the type of leaves under which they are masked.
6
Mormon Grasshopper / Anabrus simplex
In the western part of North America, on pastures with a predominance of wormwood, you can meet another amazing and fairly large grasshopper - the Mormons.
Their sizes can reach 80 mm. This species is considered one of the most hardy, because every day Mormons are able to cover a distance of more than 2 km, despite the fact that they are deprived of the ability to fly.
Anabrus simplex is considered a pest, as it destroys crops grown by humans.
7
Green Grasshopper / Tettigonia viridissima
The size of the average individual of a green ordinary grasshopper is usually 28-36 mm, but sometimes it is especially large - up to 43 mm.
Green horses are predators, their victims are most often smaller insects, such as butterflies. Often there are cases of grasshoppers attacking their relatives.
For the most part, a green grasshopper is a creature harmless to human activity, but sometimes large concentrations of grasshoppers in one territory lead to the destruction of crops.
8
Giant legged grasshopper
In size, it can be compared with a newborn kitten. The giant leggy is considered one of the largest and most well-camouflaged insects on the planet.
Its green wings have an oblong shape and many veins and even holes to converge with foliage and grass.
This species lives in the foothills near Malaysia. They are exclusively nocturnal. very surprisingly, but they absolutely do not justify their name. Despite the long limbs, these grasshoppers do not jump and practically do not fly. They move extremely slowly and awkwardly.
9
Peacock (Peruvian) Grasshopper
Continues our list of large orthoptera on thebiggest.ru - Peacock Grasshopper. It got its first name due to the bright color of the wings. In case of danger, the insect raises them above the head and begins to jump. Such a psychological technique is used to frighten an opponent and avoid a fight. This color has another important purpose - during the mating season, the female chooses the male precisely because of the beauty of its wings.
Although the body of the Peacock Grasshopper itself is small (up to 15 mm), spread wings visually increase it by 3-4 times.
10
Pseudophyllinae
Under this name, more than 20 varieties are combined. They are distinguished by habitat, color. The size of almost all types can reach 30-50 mm.
They are found almost everywhere, except for Antarctica, and are also not seen in Europe. They are exclusively plant-eating. Reluctantly engage in fights with predators, so they are used to camouflage well. Depending on the habitat, they can be green, yellowish or brown.
Do not miss, about the most dangerous insects in the world on our site thebiggest.ru there is fascinating material.
Summary
At the moment, scientists have found and described more than 7000 species of grasshoppers. Of course, many of them have already become extinct, while others are on the verge of this. However, due to their rapid reproduction, the total number of grasshoppers inhabiting the planet at a time practically does not change.
Author: Olesya Shcherbakova.