Grasshoppers is a general name for some species in the Orthoptera order. They generally distinguished as being solitary insects in contrast to the locusts which commonly swarm. There are two groups of grasshoppers - 1) the long horned which have antennae longer than their body and 2) the short horned that have smaller antennae, often less than half their body length.
Important species include the Small Plague Grasshopper and Wingless Grasshopper.
Family: -
Order: - Orthoptera
Description:
Greens, Yellows, Browns. They sometimes have brightly coloured sections that may only be visible in flight.
Body - long and slender.
End section of leg (Tarsi) has 4 segments.
Has wings or wing remnants. Usually only flies short distances after launching itself with it powerful back legs.
Chewing mouthparts.
Strong rear legs for jumping.
Front segment of thorax has a strong shield (pronotum).
Abdomen has 11 segments. Spiracles on segments 1 to 8.
There are species of grasshoppers all over Australia.
Antennae have 7 or more segments.
Biology:
Life Cycle:
One to several generations per year. Hatches from an egg to become a nymph (or miniature adult). Has several moults before reaching it final size in several weeks.
Habitats:
Origin and History:
Distribution:
Significance:
They will eat a wide range of food but tend to prefer green material. Usually they do not build up to sufficient numbers to warrant control. Economically important species such as the Australian Plague Locust, Migratory Locust, Small Plague Grasshopper and Wingless Grasshopper are dealt with under those headings.
Management and Control:
In most years control is not economical. Bran baits are effective for protecting farm gardens from normal infestations is used.
Related Species:
Locusts, crickets, sandgropers.
Similar Species:
References:
CSIRO. The Insects of Australia. Melbourne University Press. (1991).
Acknowledgments:
Collated by HerbiGuide. Phone 08 98444064 for more information.