Are Grasshoppers Harmless or Can They Sting?

  • Thread starter mtanti
  • Start date
In summary: And they are quite large and could cause some pain if they bit you. But as long as you're not allergic to them, they're harmless.
  • #1
mtanti
172
0
I'm not sure about this lately although I was convinced about it. Do grasshoppers sting you (painfully like a bee sting) with their hind legs or are they harmless?
 
Biology news on Phys.org
  • #2
The barbs on the legs can prick you but they are not venomous.
 
  • #3
And does prick you mean barely noticable or as in make you bleed?
 
  • #4
Many critters that are equipped with barbs or pointy teeth also have irritants that can cause additional discomfort, even if they don't have a specialized system for delivering venom (bees, ants, etc with formic acid) or other serious toxins (neurotoxins, in the case of many spiders, scorpions, jellyfish, etc). Some are equipped with anticoagulants that inhibit clotting/healing. I don't know if some grasshoppers have any of these tools, but they are very large attractive prey to birds (even small hawks like the kestral) so it would not be at all surprising to find that they have chemical defenses.
 
Last edited:
  • #5
If you're 'thin skinned' or get kicked enough times in the same place, you might bleed a tiny bit. The barbs are similar to a fine coping saw blade, and those suckers can kick hard. I find that it's much more disgusting when they spit on me.
 
  • #6
Danger said:
If you're 'thin skinned' or get kicked enough times in the same place, you might bleed a tiny bit. The barbs are similar to a fine coping saw blade, and those suckers can kick hard. I find that it's much more disgusting when they spit on me.

and you're talking about the big grasshoppers of about 4-5 inches length?
 
  • #7
mtanti said:
and you're talking about the big grasshoppers of about 4-5 inches length?

:eek:
I've never even heard of one that size! The ones we have here range from 1/2" to about 1 1/2". Are you sure you're not thinking of a rabbit?
 
  • #8
Danger said:
:eek:
I've never even heard of one that size! The ones we have here range from 1/2" to about 1 1/2". Are you sure you're not thinking of a rabbit?

hmmm... here in Malta those are quite common at this time of year and they're the ones I was talking about... hmmm... guess that was why I never found anything about grasshoppers hurting you over the internet...

Take a look at one:
http://schoolnet.gov.mt/hands.on.farming.gozo/grasshopper.JPG [Broken]
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #9
I can't get a sense of scale from that, but I can tell that it's not the same critter that I was talking about. The... 'texture'... is different, unless that's an artifact of the photo. Ours are smoother and 'plated' somewhat like an armadillo. Colour ranges from a pale lime green to the sort of grey shown in your picture. The other immediate thing that I notice is the leg position (unless yours is dead or injured). When ours are 'parked', their rearmost legs are in the leaping position, folded up in '^' shape. The pictured one seems to have its folded under.
 
  • #11
That's an interesting picture, alright. We certainly don't have anything like that around here.
 
  • #12
I never heard of a sting on a grasshopper.
However, they can bite.
 

1. Do grasshoppers have stingers?

No, grasshoppers do not have stingers. They do not possess any venom or other defensive mechanisms. They rely on their jumping ability and camouflage to evade predators.

2. Can grasshoppers bite humans?

Yes, grasshoppers can bite humans, but their bites are rarely harmful. They may bite when feeling threatened or if handled roughly. In most cases, a grasshopper bite will only cause minor irritation or a small puncture wound.

3. Do grasshoppers carry diseases?

No, grasshoppers do not carry diseases. They are not known to transmit any diseases to humans or other animals. However, they can be carriers of plant diseases, which can harm crops.

4. Are grasshoppers poisonous?

No, grasshoppers are not poisonous. They are safe to handle and consume. In some cultures, grasshoppers are even considered a delicacy and are eaten as a protein source.

5. How long do grasshoppers live?

The lifespan of grasshoppers varies depending on the species and environmental conditions. Some species can live for only a few weeks, while others can live up to a year. In general, most grasshoppers live for about 5-6 months.

Similar threads

Replies
4
Views
2K
  • Biology and Medical
Replies
6
Views
5K
  • Quantum Physics
Replies
4
Views
246
  • Programming and Computer Science
Replies
1
Views
326
Replies
18
Views
2K
  • Biology and Medical
Replies
4
Views
4K
Replies
19
Views
2K
  • Biology and Medical
Replies
12
Views
56K
  • Biology and Medical
Replies
2
Views
1K
Back
Top