Have you ever seen a grasshopper so breathtakingly beautiful? I was utterly captivated by its stunning appearance. Its vibrant green wings, yellow head, and piercing red eyes left me spellbound!
I was taking a walk when I stumbled on this large grasshopper displaying its hues. I almost stepped on it but was quick enough to halt as I noticed it's slow movement.
It's hues blended wit the surroundings, which made it difficult for me to spot at first.
After confirming that it was a grasshopper, I quickly picked up my phone to take a snapshot, or rather, several to preserve the memory of this striking insect.
The way it's dappled legs, featuring yellow, black, and white hues danced across its body, creating a mesmerizing pattern, left me in awe. I was riveted, my camera clicking away as I struggled to capture the full essence of this natural masterpiece.
Knowing how skittish grasshoppers can be, I approached cautiously to avoid startling it. I had to use the zoom in camera for clearer shots. I guess it felt my presence as it slowly began to creep forward.
Did you see that the lower part of the grasshopper's wings (the hindwings or ventral surface) shares the same striking color pattern as the legs? This is indeed nature's artistry, repeating patterns with precision.
I have seen various kinds of grasshoppers the green mantid, the orange eyed grasshopper, etc but never a grasshopper with such camouflage hue before. It's indeed a spectacular sight to behold and I'm glad to have seen it.
Sadly, I couldn't pin a name to it but my guess is that it belongs to the family of "Romaleidae" due to it's somewhat resemblance with *Lubber Grasshopper (Romalea microptera)". Lubber Grasshopper is known for their impressive large size, striking coloration and usually found in grassy areas, and that's where I found this freckled grasshopper.
I also think that it's a male grasshopper. Some species of male grasshoppers have bright colors on their wings which they use in attracting the females. A few of them eat toxic plants, and keep the toxins in their bodies which serves as protection. Their bright color is to warn predators that they are poisonous.
Here's a fascinating fact about grasshoppers
In some parts of the world like Southeast Asia, Latin America, Ghana, grasshoppers are eaten as food. They are often roasted, jellied, dried and ground into a meal or dipped in honey.
I didn't know grasshoppers can be eaten in the same way as crickets. Although I haven't eaten it before but I've met people who did, and they confess how tasty and nutritious they are. I guess it will be the same with grasshoppers, since they're almost identical to crickets.
Have you eaten any of these insects before?
Thank you for coming around. I hope you like the photos?
Still the #threadsaddict 😂
Author's Photos Captured With Infinix Hot 10i
Insect Type: Grasshopper
Location: Nigerian Naval College, Onne, Nigeria
Posted Using InLeo Alpha
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