Their populations thrive in warmer, drier seasons, and they can generate substantial crop damage, especially if other food sources are scarce. However, some species survive on grass, and thus don't destroy crops or other vegetation. Grasshoppers typically cannot survive the cold. Grasshoppers are found worldwide.
They are extremely migratory and will go to wherever they find food. In the United States, the short-horned grasshopper, also known as a locust, tends to wreak the most damage in the central and northwestern states. As herbivores, grasshoppers can and do contribute to the environment. Their droppings return nutrients to the earth, acting as fertilizer for the local vegetation. Also, as they are a favorite food item for birds, rodents and other creatures, they help other populations survive.
In various parts of the world, grasshoppers are eaten either as a delicacy or consumed as simply another source of protein. Modern-day grasshoppers descend from ancient ancestors that lived long before dinosaurs roamed the Earth. The fossil record shows that primitive grasshoppers first appeared during the Carboniferous period , more than million years ago.
Most ancient grasshoppers are preserved as fossils, although grasshopper nymphs the second stage in the grasshopper lifestyle after the initial egg phase are occasionally found in amber. If you've ever handled grasshoppers, you've probably had a few of them spit brown liquid on you in protest. Scientists believe this behavior is a means of self-defense, and the liquid helps the insects repel predators.
Some people say grasshoppers spit "tobacco juice," probably because historically, grasshoppers have been associated with tobacco crops.
Rest assured, however, the grasshoppers aren't using you as a spittoon. Branson, David H. Spinage Clive A. Springer Geography. Berlin: Springer, , pp. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile.
Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Share Flipboard Email. While the grasshopper may not appreciate this particular role that he plays in the ecosystem, he is a vital source of food for predators in the wild.
He benefits the environment by feeding creatures like spiders, birds, lizards and more, allowing them to survive and fulfill their own roles in maintaining a healthy, vibrant ecosystem.
Without the abundance of grasshoppers, these other creatures would not have the same access to food that they enjoy now, and may face dwindling numbers. According to the U. Department of Agriculture, grasshoppers generally consume 10 percent of available plant biomass -- or even more. This means that the grasshopper plays a vital role in preventing plant overgrowth in the environment. While the insect's appetite can wreak havoc on farm crops, in general, it also benefits the environment by maintaining optimal levels of plant growth.
Depending on the weather conditions and the grasshopper population, though, too much of a good thing can turn devastating. For example, when the weather is hot and dry, it slows the regrowth of eaten crops, making it difficult to recover from a grasshopper feeding frenzy. When their numbers are too high, the ecosystem loses balance -- if the crop area has more than eight grasshoppers per square yard, or if a field or waste area has more than 21 per square yard, an insecticide treatment may be necessary.
Tom Ryan is a freelance writer, editor and English tutor.
0コメント