Wildlife Guide · Africa & Asia
Grasshopper
Caelifera
The jumping insect of fields and meadows
Image: Photo: http://www.birdphotos.com / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)
In brief
Grasshoppers are plant-eating insects famous for their powerful hind legs, which let them leap many times their own body length. They live in grasslands and fields, where they feed on leaves and stems, and many produce a chirping sound by rubbing body parts together.
By the WARN Research & Conservation TeamChecked against IUCN Red List & CITES sourcesLast updated
Grasshoppers are plant-eating insects famous for their powerful hind legs, which let them leap many times their own body length. They live in grasslands and fields, where they feed on leaves and stems, and many produce a chirping sound by rubbing body parts together. Most grasshoppers live for about a year or less.
0.04 m
Typical length
0 g
Typical weight
13 km/h
Top speed
1 yrs
Lifespan
Figures sourced from Wikipedia — Grasshopper, Wikidata — Grasshopper .
Grasshopper: Quick Facts
| Scientific name | Suborder Caelifera |
|---|---|
| Diet | Herbivore (leaves, grasses, stems) |
| Habitat | Grasslands, meadows, fields, scrub |
| Lifespan | About 1 year or less |
| Size | 2–8 cm (1–3 in) depending on species |
| Jump | Up to ~20 times body length |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |
Scientific Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Class | Insecta |
| Order | Orthoptera |
| Family | Acrididae |
Conservation Status
- IUCN Status
- Least Concern (IUCN Red List category)
- Population
- Global population not compiled for this guide
- Trend
- See the IUCN Red List assessment
- Assessed
- See the IUCN Red List assessment
- CITES
- See CITES appendices
Conservation figures are drawn from the IUCN Red List and CITES; this guide links to the authoritative sources rather than restating population counts.
Key Facts: Grasshopper
- Grasshoppers have large, muscular hind legs that store energy like a spring, letting them launch into leaps many times their own body length.
- Grasshoppers are herbivores that feed on grasses, leaves, and other plants using strong chewing mouthparts.
- Many grasshoppers produce a chirping or buzzing sound, often by rubbing a hind leg against a wing, a behavior called stridulation.
Powerful jumpers
Grasshoppers have large, muscular hind legs that store energy like a spring, letting them launch into leaps many times their own body length. Jumping helps them escape predators quickly, and many species can also fly to cover longer distances. The legs are the grasshopper's most distinctive feature.
Diet and feeding
Grasshoppers are herbivores that feed on grasses, leaves, and other plants using strong chewing mouthparts. Most cause little harm, but when conditions allow certain species to gather in huge numbers as swarming locusts, they can strip crops and become serious agricultural pests.
Sound and senses
Many grasshoppers produce a chirping or buzzing sound, often by rubbing a hind leg against a wing, a behavior called stridulation. These calls are used mainly to attract mates. Grasshoppers hear through simple ear-like organs located on the body rather than the head.
Life cycle and habitat
Grasshoppers develop through incomplete metamorphosis, hatching as small wingless nymphs that grow through several molts into winged adults. They are found in grasslands, meadows, and fields on most continents, and are an important food source for birds, reptiles, and other animals.
What WARN Does
WARN does not run a dedicated grasshopper programme — this guide is part of the World Animal Rescue Network's free educational library. The grasshopper is currently widespread and not globally threatened, and this guide helps readers understand the pressures that can change that. Building public understanding of species like the grasshopper supports the broader conservation awareness that underpins WARN's partner-led rescue work across its network.
If clear, science-based wildlife guides like this help you understand and value animals, please consider supporting the World Animal Rescue Network's educational and rescue work so we can keep producing them.
How does the grasshopper compare?
Grasshopper: Frequently Asked Questions
How far can a grasshopper jump?
What do grasshoppers eat?
How do grasshoppers make sound?
What is the difference between a grasshopper and a locust?
How long do grasshoppers live?
Do grasshoppers bite?
Where do grasshoppers live?
Are grasshoppers dangerous?
How big is a grasshopper?
Sources & References
Population figures, conservation status and biological facts on this page are drawn from authoritative scientific and intergovernmental sources.
Terms used on this page
Plain-English definitions, from our wildlife and conservation glossary.
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