In the arthropod phylum, the insecta class is the most diverse group. Insects have strategically conquered almost every habitat on the planet. They have adapted to different media thanks, for example, to their massive form of reproduction. A single individual is capable of giving rise to hundreds and even thousands of offspring in a short time. This fact, in some cases, has a detrimental impact on human beings.
In this article on our site we present some well-known insects such as grasshoppers, which can sometimes cause harm to people. But, Do grasshoppers sting? Read on to find out.
Grasshopper Overview
Grasshoppers belong to the order Orthoptera, made up of more than 26,000 species, to the suborder Caelifera and to the family Acrididae, which, in turn, is subdivided into more than 20 subfamilies. These data indicate the diversity of the group, which includes a wide variety of species that share certain characteristics, but different sizes and colorations.
These animals have two pairs of wings, although only one is useful for flight, since some species have the ability to fly. Others, despite the presence of these structures. In any case, only adult individuals fly. Young people don't. A distinctive feature of these animals is that their hindlegs are long and strong, which allows them to make great jumps, hence the common name given to the cluster.
Caeliferae, unlike Ensiferae, which is the other suborder of Orthoptera, have short antennae. The eyes and the antennae are the structures that these animals use to know the environment in which they develop. On the other hand, some species are capable of producing audible sounds
Regarding the reproductive process, the female lays the thousands of eggs that she usually lays on the ground or on a plant. She usually secretes a foamy substance that gives them protection. A process known as metamorphosis hemimetabolus occurs in grasshoppers, which consists of a process of gradual transformation. The nymphs or juvenile phase are individuals very similar to the adults, but smaller in size, which will go through a series of molts, from 4 to 10, until they reach their final size.
Habitat and feeding of grasshoppers
Grasshoppers tend to be loners, so they don't have social relationships with each other. However, when certain circumstances occur, some species group together, forming very large congregations. In these cases, some species switch to a gregarious phase and are renamed locusts.
Grasshoppers have a global terrestrial distribution, but with a preference for warm or temperate regions. They develop in grasslands, crops, forests, areas of leafy vegetation and gardens. Some species are found in humid areas near watercourses. Others may inhabit drier areas. The species that usually live in gardens and urban areas with vegetation tend to be shy and avoid contact with people, but it is common to see them and run into them.
Their eating habits are exclusively herbivorous Thanks to the presence of specialized mouthparts, they can easily cut and crush the vegetation from which they feed. they feed. They consume a wide variety of plants, many of them important crops for humans. If you want to know more about the feeding of these animals, we explain it to you in the article about what grasshoppers eat.
Are grasshoppers dangerous?
When talking about their specialized mouthparts for chewing, one might think that grasshoppers bite or sting and, therefore, could be dangerous and cause us harm. However, this is not true, since grasshoppers do not sting Eventually, they may seek to bite us if they are on us, but the sensation will be a gentle pinch that does not will cause no damage.
On the other hand, some species of grasshoppers regurgitate a dark brown fluid or expel hemolymph from their leg joints as a defense against predators or when heavily handled. This might scare some people, but again, these animals are not directly dangerous to people.
Thus, when we find these insects in our gardens or homes we must leave them alone, not harm them or manipulate us, since they are animals that play an important ecological role within all the ecosystems in which they develop in a controlled manner.
Are grasshoppers dangerous to crops?
Previously we have commented that certain species of grasshoppers can group together in large numbers, becoming called locusts. This happens due to the influence of certain environmental changes, which induce a chemical transformation in the grasshoppers, producing certain pheromones that can encourage a variation in their coloration, turning them brown or dark, as well as a massive increase in their reproduction, forming swarms. that become pests and are capable of causing significant damage to crops
Usually, grasshoppers do not migrate, but move within the same area, but this changes when they enter the locust phase, in which they are able to become nomads and fly long distances in search for food. In the history of mankind, numerous cases of locust attacks on crops have been reported, causing serious problems that seriously affect people's diet
