Grasshoppers (ACRIDIDAE )

Possibly Adreppus fallax, the common Adreppus or Stem Grasshopper known to camouflage well against tree bark. This one seems to lack the spots on the wings seen in some guides, may be a nymph. It was in fact underneath the bark, against the trunk of a dead tree, revealed when the bark was pulled away. But that could just be a daytime resting spot, as it may hunt at night.

Bermius sp. last instar, photographed at Jones Road Gold Creek January 2008. It could be either Bermius odontocercus or Bermius brachycerus, both species found in Brisbane. Creek Grasshoppers are green, sometimes orange with black stripes on both sides of the body from eyes to the wing tips. The top of the head and thorax is brown. They feed on blade grass that grow near the water’s edge. They are relatively shiny and smooth. They feed on all kinds grasses and sedges near the water edge. The nymph is like the adult except the adult has fully developed wings.

This pair should be adults if they are mating, however, they don’t look from this photo to have fully developed wings and look like nymphs. They could be practising.

Cedarinia sp. grasshoppers are called wingless but in fact have very tiny fully formed wings. The male is much smaller than the female, and they are commonly seen like this, mating. The female is sometimes paler, but in this case they are similarly coloured.

Giant Grasshoppers Valanga irregularis are the largest grasshoppers in Australia, from 60 to 90 mm, common in Brisbane. This photo shows a yellow nymph, newly emerged. This photo of a Valanga irregularis nymph could be a couple of stages away from maturity. The adults are tougher and stronger, and do not need the same level of camouflage, though they still are quite hard to see, if on greyish brown twigs.

This is an early nymph of the Giant Grasshopper Valanga irregularis.