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By: Ikedi Ani-okoye

Grasshoppers

Most grasshopper species have camouflage colouring and patterning, although some have bright "warning" coloration and produce noxious chemicals. The antennae are always short. The chemicals. The antennae are always short. The females, which are nearly always larger than the males, do not have a conspicuous ovipositor. Males sing during the day to attract females.

After mating, egg masses are laid in the ground. The eggs are protected by a foamy substance chat is secreted by the female. Worldwide, especially in warm areas. On the ground vegetation. Many grasshoppers are agricultural pests. The most notorious pest species - locusts can form huge swarms that cause widespread devastation.

Monkey-hoppers

Head of these slim insects is long and set at an angle to the thorax. Many are brightly coloured, while some resemble leaves or sticks. The hindlegs are thin and elongated, with distinctive spines on the lower half of the tibiae. At rest, many species sit with their hindlegs splayed out sideways. Mating occurs with the male on top of the female. Eggs are laid in the ground or in detritus. S.E. Asia, Africa, India, Norah and South America, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. In a variety of habitats, including woodland, forests, and grassland.

Bush-hoppers

Also called bush-locusts, these insects may have camouflage colouring Many species Are brightly coloured and defend themselves by producing foamy toxic substances. The body can be slender but is more often quite robust, with thoracic bumps and blunt projections. Adults of some species travel in small swarms. Eggs are laid in or on soil, in rotting woody ot wedged into bark crevices. The nymphs of censin bush-hopper species are gregarious and can migrate several kilometres. Tropical regions, mainly Africa and Southeast Asia. In a range of well-vegetated areas. Some species are crop pests.

Pygmy locusts

Also called ground-hoppers or grouse locusts, these Insects have a distinctive pronotum that extends back over all of the abdomen, often tapering to a point. In some species, the pronotum is enlarged and shaped to imitate leaves or stones. Females lay eggs in damp soil. There may be about five nymphal stages. Woddwide, mainly in warmer regions. On bare or sparsely covered ground in moist, wooded areas and the edges of bogs and lakes.