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What Is a Good Habitat for Grasshoppers?

Grasshoppers are vegetarian insects commonly found worldwide. They are characterized by their ability to jump, walk and fly. With over 10,000 types, grasshoppers vary in size and color. Some, like those found in tropical rainforests, are brightly colored with vibrant patterns while others are dull gray or green to match the environment they inhabit. They live in many different environments where grass and other edible plants grow. To know what a good habitat is for them, look at the places where they thrive in the wild.

Pastures, Fields and Grasslands
- Grasshoppers are abundant in areas of long grass where they can eat vegetation and escape predators. Fields and even gardens will harbor grasshoppers, which thrive in the summer months. Species such as the field grasshopper, commonly found in the UK, is creamy-brown in color with darker patterns across its back. They camouflage well in their environment.
Rainforest
- Colorful grasshoppers can be found in the rainforests of the Tropics. South and Central America, Africa, Southern Asia and Australia are the habitat for these small insects. The abundance of nutrient-rich plants, ample space to hide or breed and the camouflage coloring of most of the species makes them successful.
Deserts
- Unusually, there is a breed of grasshopper that lives only in the desert. Despite most species preferring dense areas of lush vegetation, the grayish-black creosote grasshopper feeds only from the leaves of the creosote bush. It can be found perched in the stalk of the plant and will not exist where the plant doesn't grow.
Good Soil
- Grasshoppers need areas of good soil to breed successfully. If the soil is too wet or becomes flooded, such as in a swap region, they cannot exist. This means that most places where eggs can be laid and hatched in the ground will harbor these insects.

Insects & Science