Whether grasshoppers, grasshoppers or hayhorses - the insects can cause considerable damage if they are found in large numbers in fields or in the garden. However, they can hurt people too. But how?
Occurrence
When the days get longer and warmer again, the chirping of the crickets can be clearly heard, especially at dusk. This is especially true for rural areas with fields, gardens and other green spaces. The diverse family of insects can also be found in urban parks or overgrown corners where weeds and grasses grow.
Diet and Damage
The grasshoppers and hayhorses do not only have a purely vegetable diet. Are preferred among
other:- Grasses
- grain
- Aphids
- Caterpillars
- other smaller insects and larvae
- Plants like clover and dandelion
- Mosses
- weave
- Seaweed
- Berries and other fruits
- herbaceous plants and herbs
- Leaves from fruit trees
However, it is by no means known how all species feed. So far, only those varieties that can cause considerable damage in agriculture have been well researched. Because when a whole swarm of locusts invades a grain field and destroys a large part of the harvest, the research is also interesting for economic reasons.
The grasshoppers and grasshoppers are often good to eat in harvested fields or tall meadows watch and children often have fun catching the insects and then again to release. Terrarium owners also often have to use the animals as food for reptiles and thus come into closer contact with the grasshoppers.
But is there a risk of stinging or biting?
Sting
Hay horses are among the largest specimens of the family and the females of this species have a sting visually. However, they do not use this against enemies or in the event of perceived threats as a means of defense. It is a so-called laying stinger and is used to lay eggs. However, they do not sting people with it, even if they are caught in the hands.
Note: Stinging is not possible on hay horses or other types of grasshoppers such as grasshoppers. In addition, there is no danger to be feared even in the event of an injury, as the animals are not poisonous.
Bite
Grasshopper and
Hay horses and other types of grasshoppers feed on smaller insects, larvae, grass, grain and leaves. For this purpose, they have appropriate biting tools. So getting bitten by them is entirely possible. However, at least the species are large and strong enough to trigger a painful stimulus in humans. Bloody punctures only occur when the skin is very thin and delicate. Even if this happens, however, the wounds tend to resemble tiny pinpricks or are reminiscent of a slight pinch and do not create any visible wounds.
Scratch
There are barbed-like sections on the legs of the locusts, which allow them to climb and hold on even on difficult surfaces. However, they can also hold onto clothing and skin with it. As a rule, there are no injuries. However, there may be an uncomfortable tugging sensation on the skin. Especially when trying to pull the insects off with force.
