Oedipoda Cf Germanica Stock Image

Oedipoda is a genus of grasshoppers. A grasshopper is a common type of herbivorous insect. They are likely the oldest living group of chewing herbivorous insects, dating back to the early Triassic around 250 million years ago. Grasshoppers are typically ground-dwelling insects with powerful hind legs which enable them to escape from threats by leaping vigorously. They are hemimetabolous insects they do not undergo complete metamorphosis which hatch from an egg into a nymph or `hopper` which undergoes five moults, becoming more similar to the adult insect at each developmental stage. At high population densities and under certain environmental conditions, some grasshopper species can change colour and behaviour and form swarms. Under these circumstances they are known as locusts.