Day 39 – 366 Day Project

“Grasshopper”

Day 39 of 366 Day Project

“Magic is everywhere, explore & be amazed everyday!”

I didn’t have to go far to find my photo for today, it was in my back yard. I was hanging out the washing when I spotted this big brown grasshopper on the main bracket of the clothesline. It was huge; it was even bigger than the pegs.   It just sat there watching my every move. To my relief when I came back with the camera he hadn’t moved and allowed me to get up nice and close. It moved back and forth a little and even peered right back at me…cheeky grasshopper.

Grasshoppers are both beloved characters in children’s stories and despised pests that plague farmers and ranchers. Their songs contribute to the soundtrack of summer. Although grasshoppers are one of the insects we encounter nearly every day, most people know very little about them. They are fascinating creatures…here are 10 facts about grasshoppers which I bet you didn’t know:

1. Grasshoppers and locusts are the same thing.
2. Grasshoppers have ears on their bellies.
3. Although grasshoppers can hear, they can’t distinguish pitches very well.
4. Grasshoppers make music by stridulating or crepitating.
5. Grasshoppers can fly.
6. Grasshoppers jump by catapulting themselves into the air.
7. Grasshoppers cause billions of dollars in damage to food crops annually, worldwide.
8. Grasshoppers provide an important source of protein to people in many parts of the world.
9. Grasshoppers existed long before dinosaurs.
10. Grasshoppers sometimes “spit” brown liquid to defend themselves.