The largest one’s can be as huge as 6 inches. Amazing, isn’t it? Surprisingly, the size of grasshoppers is not restricted to a finger-size. Unlike most people must have seen, there are some not so tiny species as well, typically restricted to certain regions, and here is a list of top 25 largest grasshoppers in the world:
Largest Grasshoppers In The World
25. Stripe-winged Grasshopper
| Scientific Name | Stenobothrus lineatus |
| Size | 2.5 cm |
| Color | Brown & green |
| Location | Southern England and Asia |
The Stripe-winged Grasshopper gets its name right; its wings are striped and usually green, although it can also appear brown or purple. Although the males’ abdomen tips are often red, this contributes to their individuality.
Their preferred habitats tend to be drier regions, such as heaths, some dune systems, and grasslands on chalk and limestone.
24. Panther-spotted Grasshopper
| Scientific Name | Poecilotettix pantherinus |
| Size | 2.5 cm |
| Color | Black, Yellow, White, Blue |
| Location | Mexico and the southwestern U.S. |
The panther-spotted grasshopper, as its common name suggests, has a primarily yellow body with dark spots all over and an accent of blue.
This fairly sized, vividly colored insect feeds on green plants, particularly grains and grasses.
23. Oedaleus senegalensis
| Scientific Name | Oedaleus senegalensis |
| Size | 2-3cm |
| Color | Brown to grey |
| Location | Africa |
The tiny buddy from the family Acrididae, Oedaleus senegalensis is a medium-sized grasshopper. Their everyday name is Senegal grasshopper or Senegalese locust. Mainly living in parts of Africa, including Sudan, Mali, Niger, etc.
Their bodies reach up to 2-3cm in size, according to CABI, with brown or grey ground color appearance having distinctive stripes on their legs and antennae.
22. Sphingonotus rubescens
| Scientific Name | Sphingonotus rubescens |
| Size | 2-3cm |
| Color | Brown and grey |
| Location | Africa |
This one is a medium-sized grasshopper belonging to the family Acrididae with a body length of about 2-3cm and a wingspan of about 5-6cm. Sphingonotus rubescens are native to Africa including Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia.
This species has a distinctive bright red color, which is particularly noticeable on its hind legs. They are also popular as fast runners and long jumpers.
21. Rainbow Grasshopper
| Scientific Name | Dactylotum bicolor |
| Size | 2-3.5 cm |
| Color | Black with yellow, white, and reddish-orange markings |
| Location | North America |
The Rainbow Grasshopper (Dactylotum bicolor) has a remarkable color pattern consisting of reddish-orange, yellow, and white patterns, with a predominantly black body. Although it has pale green wing pads and a prothorax.
Shortgrass prairies, desert grasslands, alfalfa fields, and places with minimal vegetation are among the habitats that this species prefers.
20. Regal Spur-throated Grasshopper
| Scientific Name | Melanoplus regalis |
| Size | 3-4 cm |
| Color | Green, brownish, and some have more red or purple |
| Location | North America |
One of the most beautiful and vibrant grasshoppers you will ever come across is the regal spur-throat grasshopper, sometimes known as the regal grasshopper. Actually, the word “regal” refers to the same thing—something impressive or royal, like a king or queen. It is usually huge, with a variety of colors and intricate patterns.
19. Corn-Field Grasshopper
| Scientific Name | Sphenarium purpurascens |
| Size | 4 cm |
| Color | Green to brown |
| Location | Mexico and Guatemala |
Sphenarium purpurascens is a grasshopper species in the genus Sphenarium and family Pyrgomorphidae. And we find them in Mexico and Guatemala. They can grow up to 4cm.
Sphenarium purpurascens species have high value because they are a rich protein source for consumption, much more than some conventional sources of animal origin.
Considering the appearance, the ground colors of the body vary from green, beige, brown, or grey. They have a sort of attractive appearance, and much like other members of the family, they have aposematic markings.
18. Trilophidia annulata – Ringed Grasshopper
| Scientific Name | Trilophidia annulata |
| Size | 5 cm |
| Color | Black and yellow patterned |
| Location | Africa and Southeast Asia |
Another member of the family Acrididae makes the list Trilophidia annulata, a band-winged grasshopper. They have a common name “ringed grasshopper” because of their distinctive color pattern, which consists of black and yellow rings.
The adult grasshoppers of this species are typically around 5cm in length and are found in many parts of Africa including Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Also, in parts of Southeast Asia, including India, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The Trilophidia annulata species is also considered an agricultural pest.
17. Stenocatantops splendens – Short Horned Grasshopper
| Scientific Name | Stenocatantops splendens |
| Size | 5 cm |
| Color | Brown |
| Location | Eastern Asia & Indomalaya region |
Stenocatantops Splendens, aka short-horned grasshopper, is a species belonging to the family Acrididae. Because of their heavy but short antennae, these species seem aptly named.
The species exhibit a brown-toned body that lacks any luster.
They fall under the medium-sized grasshopper category. Since, as adults, they typically reach lengths of about 5 centimeters.
The Stenocatantops Splendens are typically distributed throughout the Indomalayan ecozone, which includes Southeast Asia, Southern China, and the Indian subcontinent. They also inhabit the Eastern Asia region.
However, they are considered agricultural pests and feed on crops like rice field.
16. Zonocerus variegatus – Variegated Grasshopper
| Scientific Name | Zonocerus variegatus |
| Size | 5 cm |
| Color | Green to brown |
| Location | Parts of Africa |
The variegated grasshopper Zonocerus variegatus feeds on farm crops such as maize and cassava. We can easily find them throughout West Africa and many other parts of Africa.
However, they are primarily associated with forest regions but extend into the savannah.
Variegatus belongs to the family Pyrgomorphidae, and like some other members of the family, they show aposematic coloration (distinctive color or markings that serve to ward off predators) and sequester toxic chemicals from plants. Also, they commonly live in dense groups.
The size in an adult category may reach up to 5.2cm. Where males are slightly smaller than females.
15. Aularches miliaris
| Scientific Name | Aularches miliaris |
| Size | 3.5-5.2 cm |
| Color | Green and black with yellow spots |
| Location | Southeast Asia |
Aularches miliaris species of grasshopper from the family Pyrgomorphidae is relatively large with a body length of around 3.5-5.2cm.
An elongated and slender body with long legs and wings is some of the common features shown off by this insect.
They inhabit forested areas with dense vegetation, commonly in many parts of Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Indonesia and Cambodia. We widely recognize them for their distinctive bright colors and spots on the head.
14. Zonocerus elegans
| Scientific Name | Zonocerus elegans |
| Size | Up to 5 cm |
| Color | Olive or bluish green |
| Location | Central and East Africa |
The elegant grasshopper, as the name suggests, has a vivid and elegant appearance having mostly yellow hue with olive or bluish-green, dull red, orange, and black variations. Red wing bases.
Yellow and black or bluish-black rings around the abdomen. Orange-red eyes. Indeed a sight, also they have good size as they can reach a length of up to 5cm.
This member of the Pyrgomorphidae family, mostly inhabits Southern, east central, and East Africa, also Madagascar. They also feed on plant materials just like their community.
13. Valanga nigricornis – The Javanese Grasshopper
| Scientific Name | Valanga nigricornis |
| Size | 5.5 cm |
| Color | Bluish to reddish black and brown |
| Location | Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, etc. |
The Javanese grasshopper, Valanga nigricornis, belongs to the subfamily Cyrtacanthacridinae of the family Acrididae. It is often referred to as the Javanese bird grasshopper.
They inhabit Southeast Asia. Male adults can typically reach the size 5.5cm. While females can attain up to 7.5cm length. The adults have bluish-black patterns and are reddish-brown, yellowish, or green in appearance.
In flying, the hind wings are exposed and are a rose red color. The nymphs have dark patterns and a pale green color. The giant sedge grasshopper is indigenous to Singapore, the Solomon Islands, Thailand, Vietnam, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines.
12. Aak Grasshopper
| Scientific Name | Poekilocerus pictus |
| Size | 4.3–6.1 cm |
| Color | Bright colors- yellow, turquoise, green, blue, and black spots |
| Location | India, Pakistan and Afghanistan |
This massive, vividly colored bug is the painted grasshopper or Aak grasshopper. The nymphs have tiny red dots and delicate black markings on a greenish-yellow body. However, the mature grasshopper is more visually appealing owing to its canary yellow and turquoise or blue stripes on its body, green tegmina with yellow patches, and pale red hind wings. What not to adore?
11. Paracinema tricolor – Tricolored Grasshopper
| Scientific Name | Paracinema tricolor |
| Size | 5-6cm |
| Color | Brownish green |
| Location | Middle East, Europe, and Africa |
A species of band-winged grasshopper belonging to the Acrididae family is called Paracinema tricolor. They are found throughout the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. Those tiny mates flourish when there is enough humidity, also in mid-summer.
The adults mostly occur between July and October or November. They typically appear green with some brown markings. And their maximum size reaches around 5-6cm in length.
10. Soldier Grasshopper – Chromacris speciosa
| Scientific Name | Chromacris speciosa |
| Size | 5-6.5cm |
| Color | Green with colorful undertones |
| Location | Mexico & Brazil, etc. |
Chromacris speciosa commonly called the “soldier grasshopper” because they attack variety of plant families. These grasshoppers belong to the family Romaleidae.
With their wings folded, they typically grow to adult lengths of 2 to 2.5 inches (5 to 6.5 centimeters).
The adult Grasshopper displays a wide range of vivid hues, such as tones of green, blue, red, yellow, and purple. The body and wings frequently have metallic undertones that sparkle and reflect light, adding a striking appearance.
Chromacris species inhabit grasslands, open woodlands, and areas with suitable vegetation. They use their powerful hind legs for jumping and have well-developed wings for short-distance flights.
9. Schistocerca nitens – Gray Bird Grasshopper
| Scientific Name | Schistocerca nitens |
| Size | 4-7 cm |
| Color | Brown |
| Location | Mexico, California, Texas, etc. |
Sphenarium giganteum, commonly known as the Gray bird grasshopper, is native to a range of areas. From Southwestern U.S. to southern North America, you may encounter them often.
Another fact is that they cannot brood in the too cold surrounding, which explains why they are occasionally in Colorado and Nebraska.
As the name suggests, it is one of the largest grasshopper species. Adult individuals can reach lengths of around 2-2.7 inches (7 centimeters) or even more, making them quite impressive in size compared to other grasshopper species.
8. Schistocerca americana – American Bird Grasshopper
| Scientific Name | Schistocerca americana |
| Size | 5-7cm |
| Color | Yellowish brown |
| Location | Central and North America |
A species of grasshopper in the Acrididae family called Schistocerca americana is sometimes referred to as the American grasshopper and the American bird grasshopper.
It is indigenous to North America, where it can be found in the Bahamas, Mexico, the Caribbean, and the eastern US. This grasshopper is frequently referred to as a locust and occasionally has localized outbreaks.
The species’ adult female can grow to 5.5 cm (2.2 in) and up to a maximum of 7cm in length, while the adult male can be up to 4.5 cm (1.8 in) long. Adults often have a yellow-brown body, and their wings are pale with notable brown markings.
7. Schistocerca gregaria – Desert Locust
| Scientific Name | Schistocerca gregaria |
| Size | 7-8cm |
| Color | Brown and green |
| Location | Parts of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia |
Schistocerca gregaria to the family Acrididae. They are commonly called Desert Locusts because they live in arid and semi-arid regions of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. It is one of the most notorious and economically significant insect pests in the world.
The adult locusts of this species are typically brown and can reach lengths of up to 8cm.
Not to mention, all locusts are grasshoppers but not all grasshoppers are locusts. So don’t confuse yourself with finding this locust in the list.
These insects are known to swarm in large numbers and cause significant damage to crops. They tend to transition from a solitary state to a gregarious (swarming) state in response to specific environmental factors, such as after a period of drought followed by rainfall. This change may result in the creation of sizable, harmful swarms.
6. Phymateus viridipes – Green Milkweed Grasshopper
| Scientific Name | Phymateus viridipes |
| Size | 7cm |
| Color | Green |
| Location | Africa |
Common names for Phymateus viridipes are green milkweed locust or African bush grasshopper. This guy is an African locust in the family Pyrgomorphidae (gaudy grasshoppers).
This species of grasshopper belongs to the family Pyrgomorphidae. The catchy common name ‘Milkweed’ suggests the fact that they feed on milkweed plants that contain toxic compounds.
Phymateus viridipes are typically green in color and have a length of around 5-7cm. And they are found in various parts of Africa including Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa.
Much like its other relatives, the female typically attains a significantly greater body size reaching an average body length of 2.8 inches (7 cm) than that of her male counterpart the males remain smaller, females.
However, the Green Milkweed Grasshopper’s body mostly exhibits a shade of green. Similar to the appearance of forewings. But the hindwings display a striking blue and red contrast.
5. Valanga irregularis – The Hedge Grasshopper
| Scientific Name | Valanga irregularis |
| Size | 6-9cm |
| Color | Creamy brown to greyish green |
| Location | Australian tropics |
The Valanga irregularis belongs to the Acrididae family, sometimes known as the hedge grasshopper. The Australian tropics and subtropics are the only places where it is distributed widely.
The species is the continent’s largest grasshopper. Both sexes look similar but differ in body size. With females reaching 6-7.5cm of length, while males between body stays within 4.5-5.5cm range. Even a length of 9cm is recorded for the species.
They typically lead a lonely lifestyle. The body’s coloring and pattern are very variable. Adults range in color from creamy brown to greyish green.
The forewings have a black dot pattern, while the hindwings are often dark grey but can occasionally be colorless or pale green. That is, what makes them a sight.
4. Tropidacris collaris- South American Grasshopper
| Scientific Name | Tropidacris collaris |
| Size | 10-12cm |
| Color | Red with black striations |
| Location | Regions of Colombia and Argentina |
The adults of this species grow typically around 10-12cm, while females elongate up to 15cm.
A species of grasshopper belonging to the Romaleidae family is called Tropidacris collaris. It is a South American grasshopper or Giant Violet-winged Grasshopper you may find in locations’ Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, in forests and arid regions from Colombia to Argentina.
Despite having a wide range of colors, it is sometimes known as the blue-winged grasshopper or the giant grasshopper.
3. Tropidacris dux – Giant Grasshopper
| Scientific Name | Tropidacris dux |
| Size | Up to 12 cm (about 4.72 in) |
| Color | Dark red brown |
| Location | Central America and parts of South America |
Tropidacris dux, also referred to as the Giant Grasshopper is one of the biggest grasshopper in the world, just like its genus-related sibling. Its maximum length of 12 cm (about 4.72 in).
Males are slightly shorter than adult females, who often have larger bodies.
They are found in a number of Central American nations as well as in some regions of South America. These include Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, Colombia, and other tropical and subtropical areas with adequate habitats.
This species has a sturdy body, long, powerful hind legs, and big wings that allow for tremendous jumping. They can have colorful wings that they employ to create visual interactions.
Tropidacris dux, like the majority of grasshoppers, eats mostly plant matter. Tropidacris dux, despite its size, has developed effective camouflage methods to fend off predators by blending in with its surroundings. When threatened, it may also use its wings to flash warning colors.
The loud sounds that male Tropidacris dux grasshoppers make by rubbing their wings together or against their rear legs is a characteristic feature here. This may attract females and establishes dominance.
2. The Purple Grasshopper
| Scientific Name | Titanacris albipes |
| Size | Up to 13cm (about 5.12 in) |
| Color | Dark brown grasshopper |
| Location | Central and southern America; canopy tropical forests |
Titanacris albipes is a species that belongs to the family Romaleidae has to be one of the names in our list of top 20 largest grasshoppers in the world. We commonly know them as giant grasshoppers because of their large size.
The adult female individuals of this species can typically grow up to 13cm in length and are found in various parts of South America, including Brazil, Venezuela, and Colombia. The male companions are, however, comparatively smaller in size.
This impressive giant insect is an agricultural pest because it feeds on crops such as soybeans, corn, and cotton.
1. Giant Red-winged Grasshopper
| Scientific Name | Tropidacris cristata |
| Size | Up to 14cm (about 6.42 in) |
| Color | Bright color wings |
| Location | Central and southern America |
Also known as the Giant Central American Grasshopper, is one of the largest grasshopper species in the world. It grows up to 14 cm in length (largest recorded).
And this large size makes them stand out among other grasshopper species. Again, the females have bigger bodies than male relatives.
They are found in various countries in South America and Central America, including Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Panama, and others. They inhabit tropical and subtropical regions.
Tropidacris cristata has a striking appearance with colorful patterns and distinctive features. They have a robust body, strong legs for jumping, and large wings. Their wings can be brightly colored, and when spread, they reveal vibrant patterns that serve as visual displays for communication.
Tropidacris cristata is primarily an herbivorous insect, feeding on various plants and vegetation.
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Anjali Prasad, a B. Pharm. graduate who works as a content writer for HowItSee, is based in Delhi. Except for her, not many people take the typical road from healthcare to writing. Her love of writing stemmed from her involvement in the college literature society and her early journaling at the age of 7. Hence, the love of learning and the spirit of exploration are what drew her to this career. You can find her on common social media like Instagram.