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.

Summer in the city

This weekend I visited my brother in Portland, Oregon.  Much of the year, Portland has a cool and rainy climate -- but not this weekend!  Instead, there was a record breaking heatwave, with a high temperature above 100°F.  During the hottest part of the weekend, while more sensible people were taking shelter in whatever cool spot they could find, I explored my brother's backyard.  

Not much was stirring in the unusual and oppressive heat.  Most of the insects I found, such as the leafhopper pictured below, were hiding in the shade.

A leafhopper hides in the shade of a leaf.

The only ones keeping busy were the bees!

A honey bee (Apis mellifera) drinking nectar.

A bumble bee (Bombus sp.) foraging.