Grasshopper

Definition

Any insect of the suborder Caelifera (Orthoptera), characterized by enlarged hind femora adapted for jumping, short antennae, and tympanal organs located on the first abdominal segment. Grasshoppers are primarily herbivorous, with chewing mouthparts, and represent one of the most ancient lineages of chewing herbivorous insects. The term is commonly used in a narrower sense to distinguish caeliferans from katydids and crickets (Ensifera), which have long antennae and tympanal organs on the forelegs.

Etymology

From Middle English 'grashopper', compound of 'grass' and 'hopper', referring to their herbivorous diet and jumping locomotion.

Example

The migratory locust Schistocerca gregaria, a grasshopper species, undergoes density-dependent phase polyphenism, transforming from a solitary green morph to a swarming yellow-black gregarious morph under crowded conditions.

Synonyms

• caeliferan

Related Terms

• Caelifera
• Orthoptera
• locust
• katydid
• cricket
• Ensifera
• tympanal organ
• saltatorial leg
• phase polyphenism

Usage Notes

In strict taxonomic usage, 'grasshopper' denotes members of Caelifera; in common parlance it may include all orthopteran jumping insects. Contrast with 'katydid' and 'cricket' (Ensifera), which are distinguished by antennae longer than the body and tympanal organs on the tibiae rather than the abdomen. The term 'locust' refers specifically to grasshopper species capable of forming dense, migratory swarms through phase polyphenism.