Top 10 Largest Grasshoppers In The World

Grasshoppers are fascinating insects belonging to the suborder Caelifera within the order Orthoptera. These remarkable creatures are found worldwide, with thousands of species inhabiting diverse ecosystems, from grasslands and meadows to forests and deserts.

There are, however, some species of grasshoppers out there that defy our preconceptions about the miniature stature of these six-legged denizens of the Earth. There are a few notable species of giant grasshoppers, including the Hedge Grasshopper and the Eastern Lubber Grasshopper.

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Here we would like to share with you the top 10 largest grasshoppers in the world based on their overall length.

10. Large Marsh Grasshopper (Up to 1.5 Inches)

The Large Marsh Grasshopper earns its name primarily due to its remarkable size. Adult individuals can reach lengths of up to 3.8 centimeters (about 1.5 inches) with the female being much larger than its counterpart.

Their coloration often includes shades of brown, green, or a combination of both, which serves as effective camouflage amid the lush vegetation of their preferred habitats. Large Marsh Grasshoppers inhabit wetlands, marshes, and meadows, where they thrive in environments characterized by abundant vegetation and moisture. 

These areas provide them with the ideal conditions for foraging and breeding as they lay their eggs.

9. Calliptamus Italicus (Up to 1.57 Inches)

The Calliptamus italicus, commonly known as the Italian locust or the Italian grasshopper is native to various regions across Europe, Northern Africa, and Western Asia. This species can measure up to 4 centimeters (about 1.57 inches) in length.

This grasshopper is known as a short-horned grasshopper due to their short antennas, unlike other species. In terms of coloration, Italian locusts exhibit variations that include shades of brown, green, and gray.

Their main diet mostly consists of leaves and small plants.

8. Two-Striped Grasshopper (Up to 1.6 Inches)

The Two-Striped Grasshopper, scientifically known as Melanoplus bivittatus is noticeable by its two distinctive longitudinal stripes that adorn its wings. Their bodies are usually brown to greenish in color with black stripes going along their back legs.

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This species is one of the largest grasshoppers native to North America with adults measuring up to 1.6 inches (approximately 4.1 centimeters). Some countries classify this species as a pest due to its ravaging effects on various types of plants in the country.

7. Northern Grass Pyrgomorph (Up to 1.6 Inches)

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

The Northern Grass Pyrgomorph, scientifically known as Pyrgomorpha conica is a huge grasshopper residing in various regions of northern Africa and Australia. They can grow up to 1.6 inches (around 4.1 centimeters) in length and are sometimes known as the vegetable grasshopper.

They exhibit a vibrant green coloration, and their bodies taper at both ends, frequently resembling the shape of a leaf. These grasshoppers display a preference for consuming wide, foliage-rich plants.

6. Differential Grasshopper (Up to 2 Inches)

The Differential Grasshopper, scientifically known as Melanoplus differentialis is a large species of grasshopper that is native to North America. Adult individuals of this species can measure up to 2 inches (approximately 5.1 centimeters) in length.

They come in brown to green color with their antennas being slightly red or yellowish. However, the unique thing about these grasshoppers is that their colors get darker as they age which makes them easily distinguishable from the young ones.

They have been known by farmers to cause devastating damage to their crops as they attack in groups of swarms and they ravage the whole crops into nothing. The nymphs have a short maturing time of merely 32 days after coming out of their eggs.

5. Gray Bird Grasshopper (Up to 2.6 Inches)

The Gray Bird Grasshopper, scientifically known as Schistocerca nitens can be found all over South America. The unique thing about this species is that it can survive in different environments from the forest floor to the dry desert.

The adult female can grow to an extensive 2.6 inches (roughly 6.6 centimeters) in length. Among grasshopper species, Gray Bird Grasshoppers are renowned for their exceptional flying abilities, allowing them to cover substantial distances, including oceanic crossings.

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They have a diverse diet that includes various plants, vegetation, and crops like oats, peanuts, wheat, and rye.

4. Horse Lubber Grasshopper (2.75 Inches)

The Horse Lubber Grasshopper, scientifically known as Taeniopoda eques is a huge grasshopper species native to North and Central America. Adult individuals of this species can attain lengths of up to 2.75 inches (approximately 7 centimeters) making them one of the biggest grasshoppers out there.

These horse lubbers and their appearance is easily distinguishable, featuring a body that is black, front wings adorned with striking black and yellow patterns, and rear wings that are vibrant red in color.

They also have their own defense mechanism in which they produce a type of toxin that will scare away their predators.

3. Eastern Lubber Grasshopper (Up to 2.75 Inches)

The Eastern Lubber Grasshopper, scientifically known as Romalea microptera is slightly different than the Horse Lubber grasshopper with it being native to the United States, mainly parts of Florida, Arizona, Texas, and Georgia.

It is known for being a large grasshopper with females reaching a length of up to 2.75 inches (around 7 centimeters). These grasshoppers may be big but they have relatively small wings which means they cannot fly.

Not just that, they are not as great at hopping, unlike other species of grasshoppers despite their name. Due to that, they have a unique defense system thanks to their hissing sound and pungent odor release.

2. Chinese Grasshopper (Up to 3 Inches)

The Chinese Grasshopper, scientifically known as Acrida cinerea can be found in various regions of China and other parts of Asia. The female of this species can reach an extensive length of up to 3 inches (around 7.6 centimeters) making them the second largest grasshopper in the world.

Typically, they exhibit shades of green or brown and possess wings that lack distinct coloration. Chinese grasshoppers are characterized by their remarkably lengthy legs, which facilitate their capacity for long-distance jumps in a single bound.

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They are frequently consumed in various regions of China and are considered a nutritious source of poultry feed. I guess it is better to eat them as they are known to cause heavy damage to crops around.

1. Hedge Grasshopper (Up to 3.5 Inches)

The Hedge Grasshopper, scientifically known as Valanga irregularis is known to be the largest species of grasshopper in the world growing up to 3.5 inches (around 8.9 centimeters) in length.

They are native to the northern parts of Australia as they strive in tropical and subtropical climates. Their appearance showcases a broad spectrum of colors and patterns, with gray or green bodies being the most common, while their wings can display an array of spots or stripes in shades of gray, green, orange, or red.

Hedge grasshoppers do not cause heavy damage to crops as they tend to live in solitary, unlike some grasshoppers on this list.

Source:

• a-z-animals

Also read: Top 7 Biggest Centipedes In The World