What Do Grasshoppers Eat? A Complete Guide to Grasshopper Diet and Feeding Habits

Introduction: The Surprising World of Grasshopper Gastronomy

When you think of grasshoppers, you might picture them as simple plant-eating insects hopping through meadows. However, the dietary habits of these fascinating creatures are far more complex and diverse than most people realize. Grasshoppers have a varied and diverse diet, primarily consisting of grasses, leaves, and other plant matter. However, they also supplement their plant-based meals with the occasional insect or bit of decaying organic material.

Understanding what grasshoppers eat is crucial for farmers, gardeners, ecologists, and anyone interested in the intricate web of life that surrounds us. These remarkable insects play a vital role in ecosystems worldwide, and their feeding habits can significantly impact both natural environments and agricultural systems. From their preferred grasses to their occasional carnivorous tendencies, grasshoppers demonstrate an adaptability that has helped them thrive across diverse habitats for millions of years.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore every aspect of grasshopper nutrition, from their basic dietary needs to their role in ecosystem dynamics. Whether you’re dealing with grasshoppers in your garden, studying them in the wild, or simply curious about these remarkable insects, this article will provide you with the knowledge you need to understand their feeding behaviors and ecological importance.

Understanding Grasshopper Basics: Anatomy and Feeding Mechanisms

The Grasshopper’s Digestive System

Before diving into what grasshoppers eat, it’s essential to understand how they process their food. Grasshoppers possess a specialized digestive system designed to break down plant matter efficiently. Their mandibles, or jaws, are particularly strong and adapted for cutting through tough plant fibers. These powerful chewing mouthparts allow them to consume everything from tender young leaves to relatively tough stems and seeds.

The grasshopper’s digestive tract consists of three main sections: the foregut, midgut, and hindgut. The foregut includes the crop, where food is temporarily stored and softened. The midgut is where most digestion occurs, with specialized enzymes breaking down cellulose and other plant compounds. The hindgut completes the process, extracting remaining nutrients and water before waste elimination.

Feeding Behavior Patterns

Grasshoppers are primarily diurnal feeders, meaning they’re most active during daylight hours. Grasshoppers are most active during the day, taking advantage of warmer temperatures to move efficiently and locate food sources. Their feeding patterns are influenced by temperature, humidity, and food availability.

These insects employ a strategy called « selective feeding, » where they choose the most nutritious plant parts available. Young, tender leaves are preferred over older, tougher vegetation because they contain higher protein levels and are easier to digest. This selective behavior helps grasshoppers maximize their nutritional intake while minimizing energy expenditure.

Primary Diet: What Grasshoppers Eat in Nature

Grasses: The Foundation of Grasshopper Nutrition

Grasshoppers are herbivorous insects, and they primarily feed on plant materials. They are known for their voracious appetite for a wide range of plants, including grasses, leaves, flowers, vegetables, weeds, shrubs, and, in some cases, young tree leaves and shoots. Grasses form the cornerstone of most grasshopper diets, and for good reason. These plants are abundant, accessible, and provide essential nutrients.

Common grass species consumed by grasshoppers include:

Cool-Season Grasses:

Bluegrass (Poa species)
Fescue (Festuca species)
Timothy (Phleum pratense)
Ryegrass (Lolium species)

Warm-Season Grasses:

Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon)
Buffalo grass (Poaceae family)
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)
Prairie grasses (various species)

Their diet comprises the grasses of the genera Agrostis, Anthoxanthum, Dactylis, Holcus, and Lolium. These grass species provide the carbohydrates and fiber that grasshoppers need for energy and proper digestion.

Leaves and Foliage: Beyond Grasses

While grasses are preferred, grasshoppers don’t limit themselves to these plants. They consume leaves from a wide variety of plants, including:

Broadleaf weeds and wildflowers
Shrub and small tree leaves
Crop plants (when available)
Garden vegetables
Ornamental plants

The nutritional value of leaves varies significantly based on the plant species, age of the leaf, and environmental conditions. Young leaves typically contain higher protein levels and lower fiber content, making them more attractive to grasshoppers.

Flowers and Seeds: Seasonal Delicacies

They mostly eat leaves, but also flowers, stems and seeds. Flowers and seeds represent particularly nutritious food sources for grasshoppers, often containing concentrated proteins, oils, and other essential nutrients. During flowering seasons, grasshoppers may preferentially seek out these plant parts.

Popular flower sources include:

Sunflowers
Dandelions
Clover blossoms
Wildflower varieties
Garden flowers

Seeds provide concentrated nutrition and are especially valuable during late summer and fall when grasshoppers are preparing for reproduction or overwintering.

Crop Plants and Agricultural Impact

Major Crop Preferences

Like other grasshopper species, green grasshoppers also like to eat clover, wheat, corn, alfalfa, barley, and oats. Agricultural crops often represent high-quality food sources for grasshoppers due to their consistent nutrient content and accessibility.

Cereal Crops:

Wheat
Corn (maize)
Barley
Oats
Rice
Sorghum

Legume Crops:

Alfalfa
Clover
Soybeans
Peas
Lentils

Vegetable Crops:

Lettuce
Cabbage
Tomatoes
Peppers
Beans

Economic Impact on Agriculture

Grasshoppers compete with cattle and other herbivores (including wildlife like deer and elk) for forage and are more likely to become a threat in areas with less than 30 inches of rainfall annually. They can consume up to 50% of their body weight each day in forage, making them significant agricultural concerns in certain regions.

The economic impact of grasshopper feeding on crops can be substantial:

Direct Damage: Loss of crop yield through defoliation
Quality Reduction: Damage to plant structure affects marketability
Increased Costs: Additional pest management expenses
Livestock Impact: Reduced pasture quality affects animal nutrition

Grasshoppers can become a problem in pulse crops in years of hot, dry weather. Their populations can build up to extreme numbers resulting in excessive defoliation, and pod and seed damage to pulses.

Factors Influencing Crop Damage

Several environmental and biological factors influence the extent of grasshopper damage to crops:

Environmental Factors:

Temperature and humidity levels
Rainfall patterns
Soil conditions
Seasonal weather patterns

Biological Factors:

Grasshopper population density
Availability of alternative food sources
Crop growth stage
Plant stress levels

Omnivorous Tendencies: Beyond Plant Matter

Occasional Carnivorous Behavior

While grasshoppers are primarily herbivorous, many species exhibit opportunistic omnivorous behaviors. Most grasshoppers are polyphagous, eating vegetation from multiple plant sources e.g pea plant leaves , but some are omnivorous and also eat animal tissue and animal meat.They also like to eat other bugs.

Animal Protein Sources:

Dead insects (carrion)
Smaller live insects
Insect eggs
Small invertebrates

Green grasshoppers have also been observed eating mosquitoes. This behavior is particularly common when plant food sources are scarce or when grasshoppers need additional protein for reproduction or development.

Scavenging Behavior

Sometimes they also scavenge dead insects for extra protein. Scavenging provides grasshoppers with essential amino acids that may be lacking in their plant-based diet. This behavior is especially important during breeding seasons when protein requirements increase.

Cannibalistic Tendencies

Under extreme conditions, some grasshopper species may exhibit cannibalistic behavior, particularly:

During severe food shortages
In overcrowded conditions
When stressed by environmental factors
During molting when individuals are vulnerable

Seasonal Variations in Grasshopper Diet

Spring Feeding Patterns

During spring, grasshoppers emerge from their overwintering stages (as eggs or nymphs) and begin actively feeding. Early spring diets typically consist of:

Young grass shoots
Emerging wildflowers
Tender tree buds
Early weeds and forbs

The nutritional quality of spring vegetation is generally high due to the rapid growth and high protein content of young plants.

Summer Dietary Preferences

Summer represents the peak feeding season for grasshoppers. If they can’t find their favorite grain to munch on, grasshoppers will also eat grasses, flowers, and leaves. During this period, they have access to the greatest variety of food sources:

Mature grasses and cereals
Abundant flowers and seeds
Crop plants at various growth stages
Diverse wildflower species

Fall Feeding Strategies

As temperatures cool and food sources become scarce, grasshoppers adapt their feeding strategies:

Focus on seed production areas
Consume dried plant material
Seek out late-season flowers
Increase scavenging behavior

Winter Survival Adaptations

In regions where grasshoppers remain active during winter, their diet becomes highly restricted:

Dried grasses and stems
Bark and woody material (rarely)
Any available green vegetation
Increased reliance on stored body fat

Species-Specific Dietary Differences

Short-Horned Grasshoppers (Acrididae)

One particular grasshopper – the Shorthorn grasshopper only eats plants, but it can go berserk and eat every plant in sight. These grasshoppers are strictly herbivorous and include many agricultural pest species.

Common Species:

Migratory grasshopper (Melanoplus sanguinipes)
Differential grasshopper (Melanoplus differentialis)
Two-striped grasshopper (Melanoplus bivittatus)
Red-legged grasshopper (Melanoplus femurrubrum)

Long-Horned Grasshoppers (Tettigoniidae)

Long-horned grasshoppers, also known as katydids, often exhibit more diverse feeding habits:

Greater tendency toward omnivory
More likely to consume other insects
Preference for flowers and seeds
Some species are primarily carnivorous

Specialized Feeders

Some grasshopper species have evolved specialized feeding preferences:

Grass Specialists:

Primarily consume grasses
Highly efficient at processing cellulose
Often associated with specific grass species

Forb Specialists:

Prefer broadleaf plants
May specialize in particular plant families
Often found in diverse plant communities

Nutritional Requirements and Feeding Frequency

Essential Nutrients for Grasshoppers

Grasshoppers require a balanced diet containing:

Macronutrients:

Carbohydrates (40-60% of diet)
Proteins (15-25% of diet)
Fats (5-15% of diet)
Fiber (10-20% of diet)

Micronutrients:

Nitrogen compounds
Phosphorus
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Trace minerals

Daily Feeding Requirements

They can consume up to 50% of their body weight each day in forage, making them remarkably efficient consumers. This high consumption rate is necessary due to:

Low nutritional density of plant material
High metabolic requirements
Rapid growth rates in nymphs
Energy needs for movement and reproduction

Feeding Frequency

Grasshoppers typically feed multiple times throughout the day:

Morning feeding: Primary feeding period
Midday rest: Seeking shade during hot periods
Afternoon feeding: Secondary feeding session
Evening activity: Light feeding before roosting

Environmental Factors Affecting Diet

Temperature Influences

Temperature significantly affects grasshopper feeding behavior:

Optimal Temperature Range (75-85°F):

Maximum feeding activity
Efficient digestion
Active foraging behavior

High Temperature Effects (>95°F):

Reduced feeding activity
Seeking shade and cooler areas
Decreased metabolic efficiency

Low Temperature Effects (<60°F):

Minimal feeding activity
Reduced mobility
Reliance on stored energy

Humidity and Moisture

Grasshoppers obtain most of their water from the plants they consume. Humidity levels affect:

Plant water content
Grasshopper water requirements
Feeding frequency
Plant selection preferences

Soil Conditions

Soil quality indirectly affects grasshopper diet by influencing:

Plant nutritional content
Vegetation density
Species diversity
Overall ecosystem health

Ecological Role and Ecosystem Impact

Positive Ecological Functions

Grasshoppers can also help control the growth of weeds and volunteer plants that may compete with crops for resources. Their feeding activities contribute to ecosystem health in several ways:

Nutrient Cycling:

Breaking down plant matter
Returning nutrients to soil through waste
Facilitating decomposition processes

Plant Population Control:

Preventing overgrowth of certain species
Maintaining plant diversity
Creating opportunities for other species

Food Web Support:

Providing food for birds, reptiles, and mammals
Supporting predator populations
Contributing to biodiversity

Negative Ecological Impacts

In some situations, grasshopper feeding can have detrimental effects:

Overgrazing:

Reducing plant cover
Soil erosion problems
Loss of plant diversity

Invasive Species Support:

Preferential feeding on native plants
Allowing invasive species to establish
Disrupting natural plant communities

Research Insights

Grasshoppers increase N and ANPP by preferentially feeding on slower decomposing plants, and the opposite occurs by preferentially feeding on faster decomposing plants. This selective feeding behavior affects ecosystem functioning and nutrient cycling patterns.

Practical Applications and Management

Garden and Landscape Management

Understanding grasshopper diet helps in developing effective management strategies:

Preventive Measures:

Removing preferred food sources
Maintaining healthy plant diversity
Regular monitoring of grasshopper populations
Timing of planting and harvesting

Natural Control Methods:

Encouraging beneficial insects
Providing habitat for grasshopper predators
Using companion planting strategies
Maintaining ecosystem balance

Agricultural Pest Management

For farmers dealing with grasshopper infestations:

Integrated Pest Management (IPM):

Monitoring grasshopper populations
Economic threshold determination
Biological control methods
Targeted pesticide applications

Cultural Controls:

Crop rotation strategies
Tillage practices
Planting date modifications
Resistant crop varieties

Research and Conservation

Understanding grasshopper diet is crucial for:

Ecosystem restoration projects
Biodiversity conservation efforts
Agricultural sustainability
Climate change adaptation strategies

Feeding Grasshoppers in Captivity

For Research and Education

When keeping grasshoppers for research or educational purposes, providing appropriate nutrition is essential:

Recommended Foods:

Fresh grasses (multiple species)
Leafy vegetables (lettuce, spinach)
Flowers (dandelions, clover)
Commercial cricket food (supplemental)

Feeding Guidelines:

Provide fresh food daily
Offer variety in diet
Ensure adequate water sources
Monitor for food preferences

DIY Grasshopper Food Recipe

For those maintaining grasshopper colonies:

Basic Recipe:

40% mixed grasses
30% leafy vegetables
20% flowers and seeds
10% supplemental protein source

Preparation:

Harvest fresh plant material
Wash thoroughly
Provide in shallow dishes
Replace daily to prevent spoilage

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What do grasshoppers eat most?

In general their preference is for grasses, including many cereals grown as crops. Grasses form the primary component of most grasshopper diets, providing essential carbohydrates and fiber.

Do grasshoppers eat other insects?

Yes, many grasshopper species exhibit opportunistic omnivorous behavior, consuming dead insects, small invertebrates, and occasionally other grasshoppers, especially when plant food is scarce.

How much do grasshoppers eat daily?

They can consume up to 50% of their body weight each day in forage, making them among the most voracious herbivores in the insect world.

Are grasshoppers harmful to gardens?

In agricultural settings, grasshoppers can be considered pests when they consume the leaves of crops, leading to economic losses for farmers. However, in natural ecosystems, they play important ecological roles.

What attracts grasshoppers to certain plants?

Grasshoppers are attracted to plants with:

High protein content
Tender, young growth
Abundant moisture
Specific chemical compounds
Accessibility and abundance

Do grasshoppers eat toxic plants?

Some species eat toxic plants and keep the toxins in their bodies to discourage predators. This behavior provides protection while potentially limiting food choices.

When do grasshoppers feed most actively?

Grasshoppers are most active during the day, with peak feeding periods typically occurring in the morning and late afternoon when temperatures are optimal.

Can grasshoppers survive without eating?

If even those can’t be found, grasshoppers resort to eating less nutritious moss, fungi, and bark. While grasshoppers can survive short periods without food, they require regular feeding to maintain energy levels and health.

Conclusion: The Complex World of Grasshopper Nutrition

Understanding what grasshoppers eat reveals the remarkable complexity of these seemingly simple insects. From their primary preference for grasses to their occasional omnivorous behaviors, grasshoppers demonstrate an adaptability that has allowed them to thrive across diverse ecosystems worldwide.

Their feeding habits have far-reaching implications for agriculture, ecology, and conservation. While they can pose challenges as agricultural pests, grasshoppers also play crucial roles in nutrient cycling, plant population control, and supporting food webs. This flexibility allows them to thrive in various environments and conditions.

For farmers, gardeners, and land managers, understanding grasshopper diet preferences is essential for developing effective management strategies. Whether through preventive measures, biological controls, or integrated pest management approaches, knowledge of their feeding habits enables more targeted and sustainable solutions.

As we continue to study these remarkable insects, we gain deeper insights into the intricate relationships that govern ecosystem functioning. The humble grasshopper, through its feeding choices, influences plant communities, soil health, and biodiversity in ways that ripple throughout entire ecosystems.

By appreciating the complexity of grasshopper nutrition, we can better understand our natural world and make more informed decisions about how we interact with these important insects. Whether they’re hopping through our gardens or supporting wildlife populations, grasshoppers remind us of the interconnected nature of all life on Earth.

Additional Resources

Books and Scientific Literature

« Grasshoppers and Locusts: The Plague of the Land » by Jeffrey Lockwood
« The Orthoptera of Europe » by Baudewijn Ode
« Insect Ecology: An Ecosystem Approach » by Timothy Schowalter

Online Resources

Orthopterists’ Society: www.orthoptera.org
BugGuide: bugguide.net
University Extension Services (various states)

Professional Organizations

Entomological Society of America
International Association of Orthopterology
Local naturalist societies and clubs