Grasshopper
Caelifera
Quick answer
Grasshoppers are plant-eating insects famous for their powerful hind legs, which let them leap many times their own body length. They live in grasslands and fields, where they feed on leaves and stems, and many produce a chirping sound by rubbing body parts together. Most grasshoppers live for about a year or less.
Grasshopper facts at a glance
| Scientific name | Suborder Caelifera |
|---|---|
| Diet | Herbivore (leaves, grasses, stems) |
| Habitat | Grasslands, meadows, fields, scrub |
| Lifespan | About 1 year or less |
| Size | 2–8 cm (1–3 in) depending on species |
| Jump | Up to ~20 times body length |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Class | Insecta |
| Order | Orthoptera |
| Family | Acrididae |
Where it lives
Grasslands, meadows, and fields across all continents except Antarctica.
Powerful jumpers
Grasshoppers have large, muscular hind legs that store energy like a spring, letting them launch into leaps many times their own body length. Jumping helps them escape predators quickly, and many species can also fly to cover longer distances. The legs are the grasshopper's most distinctive feature.
Diet and feeding
Grasshoppers are herbivores that feed on grasses, leaves, and other plants using strong chewing mouthparts. Most cause little harm, but when conditions allow certain species to gather in huge numbers as swarming locusts, they can strip crops and become serious agricultural pests.
Sound and senses
Many grasshoppers produce a chirping or buzzing sound, often by rubbing a hind leg against a wing, a behavior called stridulation. These calls are used mainly to attract mates. Grasshoppers hear through simple ear-like organs located on the body rather than the head.
Life cycle and habitat
Grasshoppers develop through incomplete metamorphosis, hatching as small wingless nymphs that grow through several molts into winged adults. They are found in grasslands, meadows, and fields on most continents, and are an important food source for birds, reptiles, and other animals.
Frequently asked questions about the Grasshopper
How far can a grasshopper jump?
Grasshoppers can leap around 20 times their own body length thanks to their powerful spring-like hind legs. For a human, that would be like jumping the length of several buses.
What do grasshoppers eat?
Grasshoppers are herbivores that feed on grasses, leaves, and stems. Most eat small amounts, but swarming species known as locusts can damage crops over wide areas.
How do grasshoppers make sound?
Many grasshoppers chirp by rubbing a hind leg against a wing, a process called stridulation. These sounds are mainly used by males to attract mates.
What is the difference between a grasshopper and a locust?
Locusts are certain grasshopper species that can change behavior and form massive migrating swarms when crowded. Otherwise they are closely related plant-eating insects.
How long do grasshoppers live?
Most grasshoppers live for about a year or less. They typically hatch in spring, mature over the summer, and die as colder weather sets in.
Do grasshoppers bite?
Grasshoppers can give a small nip if handled, but they are harmless to people. They have no venom and rely on jumping to escape rather than biting in defense.
