Dictyophorus spumans

Dictyophorus spumans
Dictyophorus spumans
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Orthoptera
Family: Pyrgomorphidae
Genus: Dictyophorus
Species: D. spumans
Binomial name
Dictyophorus spumans
(Thunberg, 1787)

Dictyophorus spumans, the koppie foam grasshopper or rooibaadjie is a species of grasshopper in the family Pyrgomorphidae indigenous to South Africa. It grows up to a length of 80 millimetres (3.1 in), and is toxic due to its diet of milkweed.[1]

Mating
Adult specimen seen from above

The name "foaming grasshopper" derives from the insect's ability to produce a toxic foam from its thoracic glands. The neck shield has a warty surface.

References

  1. ^ Mike Picker, Charles Griffiths & Alan Weaving (2004). Field guide to insects of South Africa. Struik. ISBN 9781770070615. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=s4ke5JwbTI0C&pg=PA96. 
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