How Do Grasshoppers Obtain Food?

The grasshopper is known for its large appetite.

Ask a child about grasshoppers and she may tell you about a fun Jiminy Cricket character from television. Ask a farmer about grasshoppers and the answer is more likely to resemble something from a horror movie.

Diet

Grasshoppers eats plants such as alfalfa, shrubs and other greenery.

Appetite

A grasshopper can consume more than its body-weight in food in less than a day.

Function

Grasshoppers have chewing mouthparts.

Grasshoppers consume food with chewing mouth parts including mandibles, labrum, labium and maxillae.

Prevention/Solution

Grasshoppers are a worldwide agricultural problem. Cultures have tried to control grasshopper populations by baiting, spraying and even eating the pests.

Fun Fact

Grasshoppers and their voracious appetites were mentioned in the Bible (sometimes referred to as locusts) in the book of Job.

References

• Purdue Extension: On Six Legs
• CSU: Grasshopper- Mouthparts