Why Do Grasshoppers Have Barbs on Their Legs?

Grasshoppers need barbs to exist.

In the world of insects, there are many anomalies. For the grasshopper, barbs (or spines) have three main reasons for growing on the legs.

Function

Hind legs are needed to grip the ground.

Spines, which point backward, are used to hold onto surfaces. Due to the large muscle in the hind leg, the insect works the spines to take hold of the surface so it may leap into the air and fly.

Singing

Grasshoppers sing to communicate.

Grasshoppers communicate via a high-pitched song. The grasshopper uses up and down movements to cause the barbs to scrape against a raised vein on each front part of the wing. According to Sidney.ars.usda.gov, this movement produces a song or signal peculiar to that species of grasshopper.

Grooming

Grasshoppers clean up by using their barbs.

Grasshoppers have a grooming reflex on the front legs that utilize the barbs to clean off cobwebs, leaves or excess dirt. An electrical nerve pulse is used to propel the action, which is initiated by hair on the sternum region.

Anatomy

Grasshoppers are unique species of the insect world.

Each grasshopper has three pairs of legs. According to Microscopy-uk.org, the hind pair has two rows of spines tibia appear on the tibia, or lower part of the leg. A spine lacks the ability to move.

Species

Grasshoppers have varying barb patterns.

The number of spines vary among species. The robust femur has varying ridges and barb patterns to help identify species.

References

• Grasshoppers: Their Biology, Identification and Management

Resources

• Hairy Insects and Spiders: Spurs, Spines, Setae, and Sensilla