Chris Connolly Photography

Egyptian Grasshopper

Large and impressive the Egyptian Grasshopper is a common species around the Mediterranean. Adult female Egyptian grasshoppers can reach a length of 65mm. In fact, they are so large, when in flight; they can often be mistaken for a bird. The male is smaller, growing to around 35mm. The antennae of both sexes are relatively short and robust. The spiny projections on the underside of the legs help the insect to cling to vertical surfaces. The adults are generally grey, brown or olive coloured with variable patterns that allows them to camouflage themselves against tree bark and other vegetation and when they catch sight of you they will move slowly to the opposite side of their ‘perch’, hoping to avoid detection. This grasshopper is vegetarian, essentially feeding on leaves. It is a solitary species and not harmful to crops. They can be told apart from other grasshoppers by the diagnostic vertical striped pattern in their eyes, which is visible at all growth stages. Eggs are laid in the spring just under the soil surface. The young grasshoppers are tiny when they first emerge as nymphs and can be found in a variety of colours including bright green and even a pale orange. It is occasionally found in Britain, having been imported on trucks laden with vegetables and plants.

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Filename: Egyptian Grasshopper 3 (Anacridium Aegyptium).jpg
Image Size: 5616x3744 / 8.3MB; chris connolly macro photography clane kildare ireland "sony world photography" "national winner" "world photography organisation" award "chris connolly photography" grasshopper egypt "egyptian grasshopper" "anacridium aegyptium" insect wildlife bug heritage "national heritage week" exhibition "biodiversity ireland" "biodiversity exhibition" "irish wildlife trust" irishtv "irish tv" "kildare county council" "macro photography ireland" spain mediterranean almeria
Contained in galleries: Macro : Wildlife

Large and impressive the Egyptian Grasshopper is a common species around the Mediterranean. Adult female Egyptian grasshoppers can reach a length of 65mm. In fact, they are so large, when in flight; they can often be mistaken for a bird. The male is smaller, growing to around 35mm. The antennae of both sexes are relatively short and robust. The spiny projections on the underside of the legs help the insect to cling to vertical surfaces. The adults are generally grey, brown or olive coloured with variable patterns that allows them to camouflage themselves against tree bark and other vegetation and when they catch sight of you they will move slowly to the opposite side of their ‘perch’, hoping to avoid detection. This grasshopper is vegetarian, essentially feeding on leaves. It is a solitary species and not harmful to crops. They can be told apart from other grasshoppers by the diagnostic vertical striped pattern in their eyes, which is visible at all growth stages. Eggs are laid in the spring just under the soil surface. The young grasshoppers are tiny when they first emerge as nymphs and can be found in a variety of colours including bright green and even a pale orange. It is occasionally found in Britain, having been imported on trucks laden with vegetables and plants.