# Blue-winged Grasshopper (*Oedipoda caerulescens*) The Blue-winged Grasshopper is a colorful insect with bright blue wings. It loves to hop around grassy fields and is fun to watch as it jumps from place to place. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Blue-winged Grasshopper](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Blue-winged_grasshopper_%28Oedipoda_caerulescens%29_male.jpg&width=800) Photo: Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blue-winged_grasshopper_%28Oedipoda_caerulescens%29_male.jpg) ## Appearance The Blue-winged Grasshopper has a highly variable body color, ranging from grey to brown or red, allowing it to perfectly camouflage. Its most striking feature is the bright blue hindwings, visible only in flight, which are edged with a broad black band. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Orthoptera - **Family:** Acrididae - **Genus:** Oedipoda ## Interesting facts - Its two big compound eyes can see almost all around them at once! - They have super strong jaws for munching tough plants! - When it gets cold, their eggs wait safely underground until spring. - Wow, their ears are actually on their tummy, right behind their legs! ## Special abilities - **Master of Disguise:** The Blue-winged Grasshopper can change its body color to perfectly match its stony or sandy habitat, helping it hide from hungry predators. - **Sudden Blue Flash:** When threatened, it flashes its bright blue hindwings to startle predators, giving it a precious second to escape by jumping away. - **Spring-Loaded Escape:** This grasshopper has powerful hind legs that allow it to jump incredible distances quickly, making a speedy getaway from danger. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 30-60 mm - **Size:** 15-38 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-90 days - **Flight Speed:** 15 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding This grasshopper is a plant-eater, munching on various grasses and small green plants. - **Primary Foods:** Grasses, fescue, ryegrass, clover, other herbaceous plants - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Red-backed Shrike](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-backed-shrike) (*Lanius collurio*) — A common bird predator of grasshoppers. - **Eats:** [Sand Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sand-lizard) (*Lacerta agilis*) — Lizards frequently hunt grasshoppers in sunny habitats. - **Eaten by:** Sheep's Fescue (*Festuca ovina*) — This grass species is a primary food source for the grasshopper. - **Hunts:** [European Mantis](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-mantis) (*Mantis religiosa*) — A formidable insect predator that preys on grasshoppers. ## Traits - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Grasshoppers are harmless, but it's best to watch them from a distance and not touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Blue-winged Grasshopper? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Blue-winged Grasshopper's wingspan? 30-60 mm ### How big is Blue-winged Grasshopper? 15-38 mm ### How long does Blue-winged Grasshopper live? 30-90 days ### How fast can Blue-winged Grasshopper fly? 15 km/h ### What does Blue-winged Grasshopper eat? This grasshopper is a plant-eater, munching on various grasses and small green plants. ### Where is Blue-winged Grasshopper usually found? Grasslands ### How does Blue-winged Grasshopper hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Natur Park Südgelände](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/natur-park-sudgelande-berlin) — Berlin, DE · Park - [Tempelhofer Feld Berlin](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tempelhofer-feld-berlin) — Berlin, DE · Park - [Volkspark Wuhlheide (Berlin)](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/volkspark-wuhlheide-berlin) — Berlin, DE · Park [View all places to see Blue-winged Grasshopper](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/blue-winged-grasshopper) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Blue-winged Grasshopper: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-winged-grasshopper)