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Elegant Grasshopper
Afrikaans name: Stinksprinkaan
Photo © Steven Herbert
Zonocerus elegans
The Elegant Grasshopper is an attractive insect and can reach a length of around 5 cm. Juveniles have a similar colouration to the adults but show more black, yellow and white.
Normally such bright colouration indicates that the insect is poisonous and it is probably also true of this species. If squashed they give off a foul smelling odour.
The Elegant Grasshopper is considered a pest by farmers as it attacks various crops such as soya beans, cotton and groundnuts.
These grasshoppers are not good flyers and it is thought that this is another indication of their poisonous or bitter taste. They basically have no need to fly.