# Bow-winged Grasshopper (*Chorthippus biguttulus*) The Bow-winged Grasshopper is a small, green insect that loves to jump around in grassy areas. It has unique bow-shaped wings that help it glide through the air, making it a fun little creature to watch! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Bow-winged Grasshopper](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Chorthippus_biguttulus_f_8835.jpg&width=800) Photo: G.-U. Tolkiehn, CC BY 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chorthippus_biguttulus_f_8835.jpg) ## Appearance The Bow-winged Grasshopper is typically brown, green, or grey, blending well with vegetation. Males often display darker sides and distinctive bowed (curved) antennae. Its short, broad hindwings in males have a characteristic 'bow' shape, giving it its common name. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Orthoptera - **Family:** Acrididae - **Genus:** Chorthippus ## Interesting facts - Grasshopper nymphs, the young, look like tiny adults but don't have full wings yet! - It's named for the curved shape of its male's wing veins, not its antennae! - Male Bow-winged Grasshoppers sing a specific 'song' to attract females for mating! - These amazing insects can hear with special 'ears' located on their abdomen, not their head! ## Special abilities - **Master of Disguise:** Bow-winged Grasshopper has expert camouflage with mottled brown and green patterns that help them blend perfectly into their grassy habitats. - **Chirping Chat:** Bow-winged Grasshopper can produce distinct sounds by rubbing its wings together, which helps them communicate with other grasshoppers for mating. ## Measurements & details - **Size:** 11-22 mm - **Lifespan:** 60-90 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding They munch on grasses and small plants, helping keep meadows tidy! - **Primary Foods:** grasses, clover, small herbs, plant leaves - **Foraging Method:** Grazing ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Blackbird (*Turdus merula*) — Birds often hunt grasshoppers - **Eats:** [Garden Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-spider) (*Araneus diadematus*) — Spiders catch them in their webs - **Eats:** [Red Fox](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-fox) (*Vulpes vulpes*) — Small mammals prey on them - **Eaten by:** [Kentucky Bluegrass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/kentucky-bluegrass) (*Poa pratensis*) — A common food source for them - **Eaten by:** Red Fescue (*Festuca rubra*) — They graze on this type of grass ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [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. - [Gliding](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/gliding): Gliding animals move through the air by launching themselves and maintaining flight with specialized body structures, without flapping wings. - [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. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Grasshoppers are safe to watch, but be gentle if you try to catch one. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Bow-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. ### How big is Bow-winged Grasshopper? 11-22 mm ### How long does Bow-winged Grasshopper live? 60-90 days ### What does Bow-winged Grasshopper eat? They munch on grasses and small plants, helping keep meadows tidy! ### Where is Bow-winged Grasshopper usually found? Grasslands ### How does Bow-winged Grasshopper hunt? Grazing ### How many legs does Bow-winged Grasshopper have? 6 ## 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: [Bow-winged Grasshopper: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bow-winged-grasshopper)