The Caelifera are a family of herbivorous insects of the
order Orthoptera, commonly called grasshoppers in English.
Although the family includes more species, this article
is mostly about grasshoppers. Grasshoppers can jump long
distances with their powerful hind legs and most are also
capable of flight. Swarming grasshoppers are called locusts.
Real grasshoppers have short antennae. “Grasshoppers”
with antennae that are as long as or longer than their
body, are in fact bush crickets or katydids.In many places
around the world, grasshoppers are eaten as a good source
of protein. Supposedly, some countries instruct military
personnel to collect grasshoppers to eat as a food source.When
populations of certain species of Short-horned grasshoppers
of the family Acrididae grow too big, its members start
swarming and transform into locusts. Locust swarms are
known to cause massive damage to crops.
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