# Carolina Grasshopper (*Dissosteira carolina*) The Carolina Grasshopper is a lively insect known for its big jumps and green color. It loves to hop around in fields and gardens, making it fun to spot! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 4 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Carolina Grasshopper](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Carolina_Grasshopper.jpg&width=800) Photo: D. Gordon E. Robertson, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Carolina_Grasshopper.jpg) ## Appearance The Carolina Grasshopper is a large, sturdy insect, typically mottled brownish-grey to tan, helping it blend with bare ground or sandy areas. Its most distinguishing feature is the black hindwings bordered by a pale yellow band, visible only when it takes flight. This coloration makes it look very different from many green field grasshoppers. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Orthoptera - **Family:** Acrididae - **Genus:** Dissosteira ## Interesting facts - Female Carolina Grasshoppers lay their eggs in the ground, carefully protecting them from the winter cold! - These big grasshoppers are super speedy fliers, often mistaken for small birds as they dart across fields! - They rub their wings and legs together to make a loud buzzing or clicking sound, especially when flying! - When flying, their black hindwings with yellow borders look like huge eyes, scaring away hungry birds! ## Special abilities - **Ground Camouflage:** Carolina Grasshoppers have mottled grey and brown coloration that helps them perfectly disappear against dirt paths and dry fields, hiding from predators. - **Powerful Leaper:** Carolina Grasshoppers can leap impressive distances because of their powerful, spring-loaded hind legs, allowing them to escape danger quickly. - **Startle Display:** This grasshopper can flash its bright yellow and black hindwings as a sudden visual warning display, startling predators when it flies away. - **Sustained Flight:** Carolina Grasshoppers can fly swiftly for considerable distances, making them harder to catch and enabling them to find new food sources. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 60-100 mm - **Size:** 30-50 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-90 days - **Flight Speed:** 10 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding A plant-eating powerhouse that munches on grasses and various broad-leafed plants! - **Primary Foods:** grasses, dandelion, clover, alfalfa - **Foraging Method:** Grazing ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [American Kestrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-kestrel) (*Falco sparverius*) — A key food source for these small falcons. - **Eaten by:** Black and Yellow Garden Spider (*Argiope aurantia*) — Can get caught in their strong webs. - **Eats:** [Common Dandelion](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-dandelion) (*Taraxacum officinale*) — Feeds on the leaves of this widespread plant. - **Eats:** [Kentucky Bluegrass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/kentucky-bluegrass) (*Poa pratensis*) — Grazes on common turf and field grasses. ## 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. - [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 safe to observe, but be gentle if you catch one! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Carolina 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 Carolina Grasshopper's wingspan? 60-100 mm ### How big is Carolina Grasshopper? 30-50 mm ### How long does Carolina Grasshopper live? 30-90 days ### How fast can Carolina Grasshopper fly? 10 km/h ### What does Carolina Grasshopper eat? A plant-eating powerhouse that munches on grasses and various broad-leafed plants! ### Where is Carolina Grasshopper usually found? Grasslands ### How does Carolina Grasshopper hunt? Grazing ## Where to spot - [Brett Woods Open Space](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brett-woods-open-space) — Connecticut, US · Park - [Cutler Botanic Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cutler-botanic-garden) — New York, US · Botanical Garden - [Kingstree Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kingstree-historic-district) — South Carolina, US · Historic District - [Jewel Cave National Monument](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/jewel-cave-national-monument) — South Dakota, US · National Park [View all places to see Carolina Grasshopper](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/carolina-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: [Carolina Grasshopper: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/carolina-grasshopper)