Carolina Grasshopper Laying Eggs Underground

Back on September 13, 2016, I was walking along a gravel road in the Ouachita National Forest here in Arkansas when something caught my eye—a grasshopper was laying eggs underground right there on the road. Naturally, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to take a closeup photo. After some research, I believe this grasshopper was a Carolina grasshopper (Dissosteira carolina), a species with a fascinating life cycle.

Egg Laying Process

The reproductive process of the Carolina grasshopper is a carefully orchestrated event that begins as summer fades into autumn. Here’s how it all unfolds:

Mating and Fertilization: As temperatures begin to cool, male and female Carolina grasshoppers mate. The males fertilize the females, preparing them for the next crucial step—egg-laying.

Selecting a Site: The female grasshopper then searches for the perfect spot to lay her eggs. She typically chooses compacted, sunlit areas with bare ground, like the gravel road I was on. These conditions—dry and exposed to sunlight—are ideal for the development of her eggs.

Oviposition: Once she finds the right spot, the female uses her ovipositor to insert a C-shaped egg pod into the soil, burying it about 1.5 inches deep. Each pod can contain over 40 eggs, which she covers with a sticky substance to protect them during the winter months.

Development and Hatching

Overwintering: The eggs remain dormant throughout the winter, shielded underground from the harsh cold. This dormancy is crucial, as it ensures the eggs survive until the warmer months.

Hatching: When spring arrives, the eggs hatch, and tiny, wingless nymphs emerge. These nymphs will go through several molts, gradually developing into adult grasshoppers by mid-May. Though they initially lack wings, the young grasshoppers bear a strong resemblance to their adult counterparts.

Observations and Behavior

Habitat and Behavior: Carolina grasshoppers are often found in weedy grasslands, field margins, and other disturbed areas. They’re easily recognized during flight, revealing their black hind wings bordered with yellow—a striking feature that sets them apart.

Feeding: These grasshoppers aren’t too picky when it comes to food. They feed on a variety of plants, including grasses and broad-leafed species. This flexible diet helps them thrive in a wide range of environments.

Witnessing the egg-laying process of a Carolina grasshopper was a reminder of the intricate and well-adapted strategies these creatures use to ensure their survival. From selecting the perfect site for their eggs to surviving the winter underground, the Carolina grasshopper’s life cycle is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of nature.