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Giant Grasshopper (hiding from the hunter)

Valanga irregularis

Photo by Neil Ross
Published on Project Noah
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-27.5084, 153.018

Field Notes

Description:

The Giant Grasshoppers are the largest grasshoppers in Australia. They also commonly known as Giant Valanga and Hedge Grasshoppers, and are native to Australia. The adult size varies from 60-90mm. Colours can vary. I would say this grasshopper is a juvenile as it's quite small.

Habitat:

They thrive in my garden which is green and lush, usually feeding on the ponytail palms, happy plants and hibiscus. They'll have a go at most broadleaf plants.

Notes:

Brought into the house as a 'play thing' by my cat Lillie, this grasshopper managed to escape and showed great ingenuity by hiding in the one place that she probably wouldn't consider looking. Searching high-and-low, she finally realised it had attached itself to her fur... on her back... and then turned herself inside-out trying to reach it. Almost as funny as the time when a Christmas Beetle latched onto her whiskers. Do you think she could find it?

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (7)

the cat's eye's are saying what the heck should I do. Mylo you are totally correct
She ate it... eventually. It made me dizzy just to watch. Plenty of grasshoppers, so there will be more.
The cat's face shouts out what he's saying, Should I eat this or not? These are legitimate questions.

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