wordsfromanneli

Thoughts, ideas, photos, and stories.

Mystery Bug

40 Comments

I took this picture a few years ago and had forgotten about it. My white phlox plant still had a few flowers then, but later, most of the white flowers got eaten by this grasshopper and his friends.

I’m not crazy about insects, but this grasshopper had rather pretty markings. I tried to find out what kind he was. The closest I could find was a two-striped grasshopper. It looks to me that this guy has only one stripe but maybe they are counting the identical stripe on the other side of his body.  Any ideas for an accurate I.D.?

 

I recommend “The Phlox” for lunch,

With seating for a crowd,

Delicious food on offer here,

So far, it’s not too loud.

 

I’ve stuffed my face with flowers white,

They’re delicate to chew,

If you don’t join me soon, I say,

That’s just too bad for you.

 

 

I thought she grew these plants for us,

Perennials you  know,

And yet she shoos us all away,

“Get out! It’s time to go!”

 

 

 

 

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Author: wordsfromanneli

Writing, travel, photography, nature, more writing....

40 thoughts on “Mystery Bug

  1. John's avatar

    It seems like you have the proper identification, Anneli. Grasshoppers down here are much lighter in body color but they make the same cool sound. About two years ago, we had a massive swarm of them, and after looking into why, it was determined that the city lights attracted the swarm. When riding my bike in spring, they sometimes come up by the dozen and hit my body including my face! 😂

    Liked by 1 person

  2. lynne.blair's avatar

    Anneli, it looks like a two striped grasshopper.Sent from my Galaxy

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Sonja's avatar

    Does he come with a sweet red chili dipping sauce? Ha ha ha.

    Liked by 1 person

    • wordsfromanneli's avatar

      It’s interesting you should say that. I read that grasshoppers are okay to eat, but you should get them from a “grasshopper farm” where they don’t eat toxic plants. Think I’ll pass though, with or without the chili sauce.

      Like

  4. zannyro's avatar

    Love it!

    Liked by 1 person

  5. belindagroverphotography's avatar

    We’re seeing a lot of crickets, but not many grasshoppers this year. Kind of cute except when they’re chomping on your flowers 😏. I like your poem.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. kagould17's avatar

    A 2 striper it is. They do come in some pretty amazing colours. Cheers. Allan

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Lynette d'Arty-Cross's avatar

    I looked this one up and it is indeed a two-striped grasshopper or
    Here’s the website. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanoplus

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Lynette d'Arty-Cross's avatar

    I seem to have lost my reply (or maybe you have it!). It’s known as a melanoplus. Great poem, Anneli. Cheers.

    Like

  9. Kajal's avatar

    Spur-throated grasshopper it is. I love insects (they freak me out though). The flowers are really pretty. They must be full of perfume?

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Ursula's avatar

    I have never seen such a big, fat and colourful grasshopper. He looks impressive.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Grant at Tame Your Book's avatar

    When walking Rango (my dog), he can scoop and chew with missing a beat. I never have a chance to see what color of grasshopper!

    Liked by 1 person

    • wordsfromanneli's avatar

      He sounds dangerous (to a grasshopper). Just imagine if he’d been around for a plague of locusts in the grain fields. He would have been worth his weight in gold. Probably would have had to bring all his friends to help.

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Jacqui Murray's avatar

    At least it isn’t locusts.

    Liked by 2 people

  13. 100 Country Trek's avatar

    Thanks for sharing this idea with this grasshopper..we saw this here in our area. Anita

    Liked by 1 person

  14. Annika Perry's avatar

    Anneli, a terrific photo of the grasshopper but your poor phlox! Your lovely poem did put the grasshopper’s side of the situation very well! Why else indeed would they think we humans planted them?!😀

    Liked by 1 person

  15. D. Wallace Peach's avatar

    I think it must be the two stripes on his leg. They form little arrowheads/chevrons. I like grasshoppers and how they click when they fly, but not when they eat flowers!

    Liked by 1 person

  16. markbierman's avatar

    Regardless of the type, these guys have BIG appetites. Thanks for the smile, I loved your poem. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  17. bigskybuckeye's avatar

    Quite a good-sized grasshopper, and definitely well-fed. When I returned to eastern Montana in the mid-1980s, the grain fields were swarming with hungry grasshoppers.

    Liked by 1 person

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