Monday, September 20, 2010

Green Grasshopper - Take 2

Now that fall has arrived, the grasshoppers are plentiful, and the crisp sounds of their hopping can be heard as I walk through the garden. I was taking photos of some flowers a few days ago when this green one caught my eye. For some reason the green ones seem to stand out to me, as seen by this earlier post.





This grasshopper is sunning himself (see below) on a piece of driftwood, next to one of my flower beds, with Cosmos and Verbena Bonariensis in the background.

Click on the photo for a larger view.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



One of the most important aspects of the life of a grasshopper is the seasonal cycle. Every day plays an important role in the seasonal cycle. The grasshopper usually starts his day right after dawn by looking for a place to warm up from the colder temperatures overnight. Most grasshoppers turn one side to the sunlight for a while before turning the other side to the sun, so they can warm up. After about one or two hours lying in the sun, grasshoppers then start to walk around, look for mates, or feed. Grasshoppers tend to be less active on cold or rainy days because they are cold-blooded insects.

The grasshopper typically forages for food twice a day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. All grasshoppers feed on different kinds of plants and have different ways of taking their plants apart to get food from them. Grasshoppers are very picky about what they eat, and they often use their antennae to taste the plant and decide if it's worth eating before they consume it.

When looking for a mate, grasshoppers communicate through physical motions and verbal sounds. Grasshoppers make sounds with their hind legs and wings, and they have small ears in the front section of their abdomen. They also use their wings and hind legs to flash messages to each other, using their complicated eye to gather the messages and interpret them.



16 comments:

Corner Gardener Sue said...

I enjoyed your photo and interesting information I didn't know about grasshoppers. Thanks!

Catherine said...

The photo is exquisite, Connie! I love the part about using an antennea to check out the taste of a plant before eating it. I wish (sometimes) I had that body part and ability...well, maybe I don't wish for the body part exactly!!

missy said...

I didn't realise they were picky about their food. Obviously they love what I grow.

joey said...

Handsome grasshopper, Connie! Happy Autumn :)

Iowa Gardening Woman said...

What a handsome grasshopper! They are such a pretty green.

Those dilly beans look wonderful! Looks like they could be entered in a state fair.

Victoria Williams said...

That's a very pretty grasshopper picture!
I think most of ours have been devoured by the chickens.

Catherine said...

I WILL be saving seeds from the red zinnia, Connie! Oh, and YOU will get some, for sure. By the way, we ordered and have received the Flecxin already.

Toia said...

Love the photo and the facts about the grasshopper. It's very interesting especially how they choose which plant eat. Thanks for sharing. Enjoy your weekend!!

em said...

yes, me too! the brown ones just look like pests, but the green ones are magical.

Anonymous said...

We only have brown grasshoppers here, who are usually busy chowing down on my garden! But lately I have a bright green preying mantis taking up residence, and he is most welcome. Well, at least when he isn't eating my butterflies, then I wish he'd go elsewhere!

Jessica said...

Beautiful blog. . .
Thought you might be interested in my collaborative blog - Dysfunctional Beginnings - showcasing material about growing up, as well as other types of beginnings. Literary, nonfiction, fiction, poetry, photography, video, etc.).
http://dysfunctionalbeginnings.com/

Thanks for your support!

steroids online said...

i like the work . very much!

Kerri said...

That's a beautiful photo! I enjoyed reading the interesting info too.
There's so much to see in the garden, isn't there? Keeps us busy for hours :) I almost need blinders to get any actual work done!
I'm waiting for the rain to go away so that I can get back out there. Still much to be done.
We've had 3 days of gloomy weather..rain and cold temps. I don't like it!

Caribbean Culinary Tours and Vacations said...

Great photos love your blog

em said...

hi connie, thanks for stopping by gf... you posting again soon?

Lauralee said...

This was interesting. Now I know more about grassshoppers.