Scientific order: Orthoptera
Description
Grasshoppers belong to the order Orthoptera which means ‘straight wings’. Most are easily recognisable by their hind legs, which are usually enlarged for jumping. They are often easily seen jumping away when disturbed or heard ‘singing’ at night. They are mainly medium to large insects with some species growing to a length of 10 centimetres. There are about 3,000 species in Australia and all can be distinguished from other insects by their 2 pairs of wings. The forewings are narrower than the hind wings and hardened or leathery at the base. They are held roof-like overlapping the abdomen at rest. The hind wing is membranous and held folded fan-like under the forewings when at rest.
Photograph: Joseph Berger, Bugwood.org