@ suttkus, you are partially not mistaken, those are wings. But they are not vestigial, they are only not developed yet (“wing buds”). Grasshoppers are hemimetabolous insects, they do not have a distinct larva. Baby grasshoppers (instars) look like miniature adults, but without wings. With each moult these wing buds get bigger and bigger, until at sixth moult an adult emerges with fully functional wings.
I think this is a fourth instar of Stenobothrus lineatus and I have pictures of adults too. I intend to send them to Caine too when the opportunity arises.
Great little critter and among my cats favorite outdoor ‘toys’.
Gorgeous shots. The lighting is quite exquisite.
Unless I’m mistaken, you can see the grasshopper’s vestigial wings in the second picture. So, it’s not a baby, it’s a full-grown adult.
@ suttkus, you are partially not mistaken, those are wings. But they are not vestigial, they are only not developed yet (“wing buds”). Grasshoppers are hemimetabolous insects, they do not have a distinct larva. Baby grasshoppers (instars) look like miniature adults, but without wings. With each moult these wing buds get bigger and bigger, until at sixth moult an adult emerges with fully functional wings.
I think this is a fourth instar of Stenobothrus lineatus and I have pictures of adults too. I intend to send them to Caine too when the opportunity arises.