# Meadow Grasshopper (*Pseudochorthippus parallelus*)

The Meadow Grasshopper is a small green insect that loves to hop around in fields and meadows. They are great jumpers and can be found enjoying sunny days among the grass.

- **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Grasslands
- **Also known as:** Common Meadow Grasshopper

![Meadow Grasshopper](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425740/objects/925.jpg)

## Appearance

The Meadow Grasshopper has a slender body, primarily vivid green, though some can be brownish or purplish. Its short wings often don't fully cover the abdomen, especially in females, and it has distinctive parallel keels on its pronotum.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Arthropoda
- **Class:** Insecta
- **Order:** Orthoptera
- **Family:** Acrididae
- **Genus:** Pseudochorthippus

## Interesting facts

- A Meadow Grasshopper's powerful jaws can chew through tough grass all day long!
- Did you know their 'ears' are actually located on the sides of their abdomen, not on their head?
- Males sing their chirping songs only when the sun is shining, never on cloudy days!
- They lay their eggs safely underground, protected until they hatch next spring.

## Special abilities

- **Super Leaper:** Meadow Grasshopper can jump incredibly far because of its powerful hind legs that help them escape predators quickly.
- **Chirping Communicator:** Meadow Grasshopper can create buzzing chirps by rubbing its hind legs against its wings, helping them find mates.
- **Master of Disguise:** Meadow Grasshopper has a green or brown body that helps them blend perfectly into tall grasses, hiding from hungry birds.

## Measurements & details

- **Size:** 15-25 mm
- **Lifespan:** 60-120 days
- **Leg Count:** 6

## Diet & Feeding

They are plant-eaters, munching on leaves and grass with strong jaws!

- **Primary Foods:** grasses, clover, small herbaceous plants, dandelions
- **Foraging Method:** Grazing

## Ecological connections

- **Eats:** Perennial Ryegrass (*Lolium perenne*) — A primary food source in meadows.
- **Eats:** [White Clover](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-clover) (*Trifolium repens*) — Feeds on the leaves of this common plant.
- **Eaten by:** Blackbird (*Turdus merula*) — A common bird predator in its habitat.
- **Eaten by:** Common Toad (*Bufo bufo*) — Eats grasshoppers that cross its path.

## 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

Be gentle if you find one and remember to let it hop away safely.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Meadow 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 Meadow Grasshopper?

15-25 mm

### How long does Meadow Grasshopper live?

60-120 days

### What does Meadow Grasshopper eat?

They are plant-eaters, munching on leaves and grass with strong jaws!

### Where is Meadow Grasshopper usually found?

Grasslands

### How does Meadow Grasshopper hunt?

Grazing

### How many legs does Meadow Grasshopper have?

6

## Watch

- [Play video: Meadow Grasshopper](https://www.snappit.app/videos/meadow-grasshopper)
- [YouTube](https://www.snappit.app/rejected_by_user)

## 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: [Meadow Grasshopper: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/meadow-grasshopper)