WINSTON WEEKLY^[1]

March 22, 2026

Vol. 4, No. 12

GIANT JUMPERS[2]

In the spirit of March Madness, another type of athlete is among us: the grasshopper. Their massive hind legs give them the ability to jump the entire length of a basketball court! Their hind legs are also used to produce sounds by rubbing them against their wings. Known as stridulation, grasshoppers produce a variety of chirps, sometimes referred to as songs. With six legs and two pairs of wings, their size ranges from a couple of inches to more than four inches.

Some cultures celebrate grasshoppers, seeing them as a metaphor for overcoming obstacles or taking giant leaps forward. In ancient Greece, grasshoppers were viewed as a symbol of nobility and immortality. Other cultures consume grasshoppers as an alternative to meat given their high protein content.

Evolving nearly 250 million years ago, there are more than 11,000 species today, most with a life span of little more than two months. Even though many species have ears on their abdomens, they can hear a variety of sounds. Some species, such as the Desert Locusts, travel vast distances across continents. With a nearly worldwide presence, their adaptability has allowed them to thrive. Grasshoppers primarily feed off plants, although some consume other insects.

While grasshoppers play an important part in plant control and soil fertility, they can have a devastating impact on orchards, gardens, and crops. Between 1955 and 1961, they destroyed millions of acres of crops, orchards and gardens, primarily in Oregon and California.

WEEKLY ACTIVITY

Whether a teacher, parent, aunt, uncle, or grandparent, there are many ways to investigate the life cycle of a grasshopper. A good starting point is the Governor’s Conservation Classroom Challenge for children in kindergarten through the second grade, www.dwr.virginia.gov.

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[1] A weekly blog/newsletter by Alysen Bayles to be shared with the appropriate attribute.

[2] Resources: Gardenia Creating Gardens, www.gardenia.net; Animal Facts, Fun Grasshopper Facts for Kids, www.sciencekids.co.nz; Grasshoppers of Wyoming and the West, www.uwyo.com; Ken Preson-Mafham, Grasshoppers and Mantids of the World, Facts on File, 1991.