Grasshoppers

Close relatives of the notorious locust, grasshoppers too are a nuisance in a Most grasshoppers camouflage perfectly and are experts in merging with their surroundings. Many birds, praying mantis, frogs and garden lizards greedily feast on these insects. Camouflaging is mainly to hide from these enemies. On the other hand, 'Painted grasshopper' not only does not camouflage, but brazenly flaunts its presence with its colourful body. In fact its bright colours are meant to warn the predators that, "Dare not touch me; I have poison in my body." Since Calotropis, a poisonous plant, is the staple food of the painted grasshopper, it is unpalatable to its predators.

Grasshopper

Grasshopper

Grasshopper

Grasshopper

Painted grasshopper

Grass hoppers are mainly found near the ground level. Though capable of flight, they can fly very short distances. To escape the predators, they vault with their powerful hind legs.

Unlike other insects, the grasshoppers do not go through complete metamorphosis. Male grasshoppers rub their hind legs on the wings and create rasping sounds to attract females. Females lay eggs in the ground. From the eggs tiny 'Nymphs' or 'Instars' hatch out. They molt 4 to 6 times and become adults.

To protect the plants from grasshoppers, plants can be sprayed with wettable Sulphur. The thin coat of Sulphur on the leaves, makes them unpalatable and thus deters insects from attacking leaves.