# Fontana Grasshopper (*Trimerotropis fontana*) The Fontana Grasshopper is a small, lively insect that loves to hop around in grassy areas. With its green and brown colors, it blends in well with the plants around it. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Fontana Grasshopper](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Trimerotropis_fontana-Male-1.jpg&width=800) Photo: EugeneZelenko, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Trimerotropis_fontana-Male-1.jpg) ## Appearance The Fontana Grasshopper is a medium-sized insect, typically drab grey, brown, or tan, allowing it to blend perfectly with arid soils and rocks. It has unique hind wings, often bright yellow or blue, bordered by a distinct dark band, which flash vividly during flight. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Orthoptera - **Family:** Acrididae - **Genus:** Trimerotropis ## Interesting facts - A grasshopper's ears are actually on its belly, near where its back legs attach! - Its scientific name means "three parts turning," referring to its varied flight behavior. - Some band-winged grasshoppers can make a crackling sound when they fly! - These amazing insects drink morning dew to stay hydrated in their dry, sunny homes. ## Special abilities - **Leaping Legs:** Fontana Grasshopper can jump incredibly far because of its powerful hind legs, helping them escape danger quickly. - **Flashy Flight:** Fontana Grasshopper has brightly colored hind wings that flash in flight, which helps confuse predators and make a quick getaway. - **Desert Camouflage:** Fontana Grasshopper has a body expertly colored to match rocks and soil, helping them hide from hungry birds and lizards. - **Wing Song:** Fontana Grasshopper can make chirping sounds by rubbing its wings, helping them find a mate in the grassy plains. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 38-90 mm - **Size:** 25-45 mm - **Lifespan:** 60-90 days - **Flight Speed:** 12 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding This herbivore munches on various desert plants, helping keep the landscape tidy for other creatures. - **Primary Foods:** Grasses, Forbs, Desert Shrubs - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Say's Phoebe](https://www.snappit.app/explore/says-phoebe) (*Sayornis saya*) — A swift bird that catches grasshoppers mid-air for a meal. - **Eaten by:** Tiger Whiptail (*Aspidoscelis tigris*) — This fast lizard hunts grasshoppers on the ground. - **Eats:** Blue Grama Grass (*Bouteloua gracilis*) — Feeds on this grass, an important desert plant, helping to prune it. - **Hunts:** Great Black Wasp (*Sphex pensylvanicus*) — This large wasp paralyzes grasshoppers to feed its young. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [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. - [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 It's best to watch grasshoppers from a distance so they don't get scared. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Fontana 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 Fontana Grasshopper's wingspan? 38-90 mm ### How big is Fontana Grasshopper? 25-45 mm ### How long does Fontana Grasshopper live? 60-90 days ### How fast can Fontana Grasshopper fly? 12 km/h ### What does Fontana Grasshopper eat? This herbivore munches on various desert plants, helping keep the landscape tidy for other creatures. ### Where is Fontana Grasshopper usually found? Grasslands ### How does Fontana Grasshopper hunt? Foraging ## 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: [Fontana Grasshopper: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/fontana-grasshopper)