# Snakeweed Grasshopper (*Hesperotettix viridis*)

The Snakeweed Grasshopper is a small, green insect that loves to hop around in sunny places. It blends in with the grass and plants, making it a fun surprise to spot!

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

![Snakeweed Grasshopper](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Hesperotettix_viridis_P1490517a.jpg&width=800)

Photo: xpda, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hesperotettix_viridis_P1490517a.jpg)

## Appearance

The Snakeweed Grasshopper is typically bright green or yellowish-green, often with lighter stripes on its head and thorax. Its coloration perfectly mimics its host plant, making it almost invisible amongst snakeweed foliage. Some can even be brownish.

## Taxonomy

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

## Interesting facts

- It can lay up to 100 eggs at once, buried safely underground!
- It has special "ears" located on its abdomen, not its head!
- Its powerful jaws are perfect for munching tough snakeweed plants.
- Some snakeweed grasshoppers can change color slightly to blend in better.

## Special abilities

- **Poisonous Palate:** Snakeweed Grasshopper can eat toxic snakeweed plants because it has special enzymes that neutralize their poisons.
- **Perfect Camouflage:** Snakeweed Grasshopper has a vibrant green body that helps them blend seamlessly with their plant habitat, avoiding predators.
- **Sonic Signals:** Snakeweed Grasshopper can rub its legs and wings together to create unique chirping sounds for communicating with other grasshoppers.
- **Leaping Escape:** Snakeweed Grasshopper can launch itself many times its body length using powerful back legs, helping them quickly escape danger.

## Measurements & details

- **Wingspan:** 20-40 mm
- **Size:** 11-24 mm
- **Lifespan:** 30-90 days
- **Flight Speed:** 5-10 km/h
- **Leg Count:** 6

## Diet & Feeding

This grasshopper primarily eats snakeweed plants, digesting toxins others can't!

- **Primary Foods:** Gutierrezia sarothrae, Gutierrezia microcephala, Chrysothamnus nauseosus
- **Foraging Method:** Foraging

## Ecological connections

- **Eats:** [Broom Snakeweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/broom-snakeweed) (*Gutierrezia sarothrae*) — Its primary food source in arid grasslands.
- **Eaten by:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — Robins are common bird predators in its habitat.
- **Eaten by:** [Eastern Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus undulatus*) — Lizards often prey on grasshoppers in sunny areas.
- **Eaten by:** [Yellow Garden Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yellow-garden-spider) (*Argiope aurantia*) — Large spiders can capture grasshoppers in their webs.

## 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.
- [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.
- [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 don't try to catch them too quickly!

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Snakeweed 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 Snakeweed Grasshopper's wingspan?

20-40 mm

### How big is Snakeweed Grasshopper?

11-24 mm

### How long does Snakeweed Grasshopper live?

30-90 days

### How fast can Snakeweed Grasshopper fly?

5-10 km/h

### What does Snakeweed Grasshopper eat?

This grasshopper primarily eats snakeweed plants, digesting toxins others can't!

### Where is Snakeweed Grasshopper usually found?

Grasslands

### How does Snakeweed 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*)

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Source: [Snakeweed Grasshopper: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/snakeweed-grasshopper)