Rainbow Milkweed Locust
Scientific Name: Phymateus saxosus
Origin: Madagascar
Size: 14.5 x 14.5 x D5cm
Description: AKA Rainbow Milkweed locust. Red wings on this grasshopper. These hoppers can congregate in large numbers on trees and feed on highly poisonous milkweed plants rendering them toxic to prey. Their highly coloured wings are a warning to any intended predators - they rustle their wings when disturbed and secrete a toxic fluid from their thoracic joint.
Grasshoppers, crickets, katydids and locusts make up the order Orthoptera which means 'straight wings'. Most are easily recognisable by their hind legs, which are usually enlarged for jumping. All can be distinguished from other insects by the following features:
- 2 pairs of wings. The upper wings are more narrow than the hind wings which are held folded under the forewings when resting
- large compound eyes
- powerful modified hind legs ( for jumping )
- ability to produce sounds by rubbing their legs, wings or abdomen together - predominantly males to attract the females
- antennae which can be long and thin ( usually katydids ) or short ( usually grasshoppers ) depending on species
*Please note colour may differ in from specimen to specimen
Scientific Name: Phymateus saxosus
Origin: Madagascar
Size: 14.5 x 14.5 x D5cm
Description: AKA Rainbow Milkweed locust. Red wings on this grasshopper. These hoppers can congregate in large numbers on trees and feed on highly poisonous milkweed plants rendering them toxic to prey. Their highly coloured wings are a warning to any intended predators - they rustle their wings when disturbed and secrete a toxic fluid from their thoracic joint.
Grasshoppers, crickets, katydids and locusts make up the order Orthoptera which means 'straight wings'. Most are easily recognisable by their hind legs, which are usually enlarged for jumping. All can be distinguished from other insects by the following features:
- 2 pairs of wings. The upper wings are more narrow than the hind wings which are held folded under the forewings when resting
- large compound eyes
- powerful modified hind legs ( for jumping )
- ability to produce sounds by rubbing their legs, wings or abdomen together - predominantly males to attract the females
- antennae which can be long and thin ( usually katydids ) or short ( usually grasshoppers ) depending on species
*Please note colour may differ in from specimen to specimen
Scientific Name: Phymateus saxosus
Origin: Madagascar
Size: 14.5 x 14.5 x D5cm
Description: AKA Rainbow Milkweed locust. Red wings on this grasshopper. These hoppers can congregate in large numbers on trees and feed on highly poisonous milkweed plants rendering them toxic to prey. Their highly coloured wings are a warning to any intended predators - they rustle their wings when disturbed and secrete a toxic fluid from their thoracic joint.
Grasshoppers, crickets, katydids and locusts make up the order Orthoptera which means 'straight wings'. Most are easily recognisable by their hind legs, which are usually enlarged for jumping. All can be distinguished from other insects by the following features:
- 2 pairs of wings. The upper wings are more narrow than the hind wings which are held folded under the forewings when resting
- large compound eyes
- powerful modified hind legs ( for jumping )
- ability to produce sounds by rubbing their legs, wings or abdomen together - predominantly males to attract the females
- antennae which can be long and thin ( usually katydids ) or short ( usually grasshoppers ) depending on species
*Please note colour may differ in from specimen to specimen