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 Grasshoppers
are interesting insects. But most children know very little about
them. Did you know that grasshoppers existed long before dinosaurs? They started to
live in the world when the first reptiles appeared on Earth.
Today, they provide an important source of protein to people in many
parts of the world!
Did you know that grasshoppers have ears on their bellies? They have simple
hearing organ on the abdomen. As in most insects,
grasshoppers’ ears are simple structures. Using their ears,
they can hear the songs of their fellow grasshoppers. Each species produces a different rhythm that allows for differentiation of its song
from others.
 Grasshoppers
are wonderful jumpers. Thanks to their strong and
powerful hind legs, they can jump
very high. A grasshopper’s hind legs function like miniature slingshots. When it wants
to jump, the grasshopper contracts its large flexor muscles slowly, bending
its hind legs. When the grasshopper is ready to jump, it relaxes the
leg muscles, shooting its body into the air!
So, can grasshoppers fly, too? Yes, they can! Since they have such
powerful jumping legs, sometimes people don’t realize they have wings,
too. In fact, grasshoppers are pretty strong fliers. They often use
their wings to escape predators. Their jumping
ability just gives them a
boost into the air. |
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