Arthropod Dissection
Joseph Buks PAPBio 4/8/14
Melanoplus differentialis
The grasshopper's phylum is Arthropoda and its class is Insecta. The grasshopper lives all over the world in grassy areas. Arthropod means jointed appendage because of the fact that the major adaptation the phylum Arthropoda gained was jointed appendages. These can in fact be seen today in the grasshoppers six jointed legs.
Objectives
Students will learn the external anatomy of crayfish and grasshoppers (arthropods).
Prey
Grasshoppers have a purely herbivore diet and eat nothing but weeds and grass.
Predator
Predators of grasshoppers include reptiles, some insects, small mammals, and birds. In places like Africa, where there is a less dominant source of protein, larger grasshoppers grow, and are sometimes eaten by the locals.
Respiratory System
The tracheal system helps with respiration. The system contains ten spiracles and air sacs. The spiracles take in air and diffuse it to the cells of the grasshopper. Some of the spiracles are also involved in expelling the air. Below an enlarged picture is shown.
Interesting Facts
- Grasshoppers are best known for their ability to jump long distances
- Grasshoppers have to molt
- Female grasshoppers lay egg pods (sometimes containing 25 eggs)
- Grasshoppers plant their eggs a couple of inches into the ground