# Lesser Marsh Grasshopper (*Chorthippus albomarginatus*) The Lesser Marsh Grasshopper is a small, green insect that loves to hop around in wet grassy areas. They are great at blending in with their surroundings and can be found in many places during the summer. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Lesser Marsh Grasshopper](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Chorthippus_albomarginatus_m1.JPG&width=800) Photo: Aiwok, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chorthippus_albomarginatus_m1.JPG) ## Appearance The Lesser Marsh Grasshopper has a slender body, often green or brown, blending into its grassy home. Males typically feature a distinct pale or white stripe along the outer edge of their wing casings. Both sexes have long antennae and powerful hind legs for jumping. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Orthoptera - **Family:** Acrididae - **Genus:** Chorthippus ## Interesting facts - Amazingly, these grasshoppers hear with tiny 'ears' located on their abdomen! - Baby grasshoppers, called nymphs, look like tiny adults without wings! - Male Lesser Marsh Grasshoppers have a special white edge on their wing casings! - They shed their skin, called molting, up to six times as they grow! ## Special abilities - **Super Jumper:** Lesser Marsh Grasshoppers can launch themselves huge distances because of their strong, spring-loaded hind legs that helps them escape predators. - **Nature's Camouflage:** This grasshopper has natural colors and patterns that helps them blend perfectly into marsh grasses, making them very hard to spot. - **Chirping Communicator:** Lesser Marsh Grasshoppers can 'sing' by rubbing their legs against their wings, making unique sounds that helps them find a mate. - **Egg Planter:** Female grasshoppers have a special tool called an ovipositor that helps them carefully lay eggs safely underground. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 25-40 mm - **Size:** 13-23 mm - **Lifespan:** 60-120 days - **Flight Speed:** 5-10 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding They munch on many types of grass and other leafy wetland plants. - **Primary Foods:** grasses, sedges, rushes, small herbaceous plants - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Yellow Wagtail (*Motacilla flava*) — A tasty snack for this wetland bird. - **Eaten by:** Wasp Spider (*Argiope bruennichi*) — Caught in the intricate web of this striking spider. - **Eats:** Common Bentgrass (*Agrostis capillaris*) — Grazes on the leaves of this common marsh plant. - **Eats:** [Soft Rush](https://www.snappit.app/explore/soft-rush) (*Juncus effusus*) — Feeds on this widespread rush in damp areas. ## 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. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [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 observe, but be gentle if you try to catch one. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Lesser Marsh 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 Lesser Marsh Grasshopper's wingspan? 25-40 mm ### How big is Lesser Marsh Grasshopper? 13-23 mm ### How long does Lesser Marsh Grasshopper live? 60-120 days ### How fast can Lesser Marsh Grasshopper fly? 5-10 km/h ### What does Lesser Marsh Grasshopper eat? They munch on many types of grass and other leafy wetland plants. ### Where is Lesser Marsh Grasshopper usually found? Wetlands ### How does Lesser Marsh 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: [Lesser Marsh Grasshopper: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lesser-marsh-grasshopper)