This came in from Avalus several weeks ago and I suspect that this little critter may have succumbed to cooler temperatures by now. I did the google thing before I posted this and it seems that grasshoppers don’t survive winter. The adults mate in the fall, lay their eggs and then die off once this biological imperative is finished. It’s the eggs that survive winter in little curved pods that are buried underground. The pods are created by rolling spittle with dirt until it becomes a hard case and each pod contains about 20- 26 eggs. I wonder if that’s what this little grasshopper was doing? Avalus says,
This time it is a grasshopper that I found on a gravel road. I think she tried to lay eggs.
I did gently remove her from the path, when a tractor was approaching. (In fact, she climbed on my hand when I put it next to her).
It seems like an odd place to lay eggs, but I’m sure she knows what she’s doing. Thanks Avalus, for the interesting and wonderfully detailed photos.
©Avalus, all rights reserved
©Avalus, all rights reserved
©Avalus, all rights reserved
©Avalus, all rights reserved
©Avalus, all rights reserved
©Avalus, all rights reserved
©Avalus, all rights reserved
Lovely shots! The first two in particular are amazing, showing that long ovipositor. I think it is a katydid, though?
Very fine pictures. The ovipostor is huge.
First, let me thank you for the added context in the beginning!
The third pic is my favorite, just the way the evening sun reflects of the wings. The series also demonstrates, that my phone can make crispy sharp images, if the autofocus and me agree on the same object. :D
After measuring my thumb I can state, that she was about 6 cm long.
@ Nightjar: I can not put her down more exactly than “large grashopper”, so maybe? Sadly I don’t have time to read up on it at the moment.