Friday, October 12, 2012

Escaping an enemy can cost an arm and a leg

Grasshoppers are notable for their large hind legs that enable them to jump long distances.  Therefore, I've been surprised that several of the grasshoppers I have seen recently have been missing one of these important legs.  

A short-horned grasshopper (Acrididae) nymph missing one of its back legs.
Apparently, a grasshopper can easily detach a leg from its body in order to escape from a predator.  Although costly and somewhat gruesome, this process of "autotomy" or "self-amputation" is preferable to the alternative: being consumed by the predator.  Furthermore, once the grasshopper reaches the adult stage, its wings are fully developed and it no longer has to rely on its jumping prowess.

A short-horned grasshopper (Acrididae) adult missing one of its back legs.

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