The Grasshopper and the Pollen

Although looking very large here, this is one of the smallest grasshoppers we have seen. Only a scant inch long, he certainly had a party on the pollen! Grasshoppers can decimate hibiscus leaves, and continue to munch on them day after day for weeks at a time. Yum, yum!

Like so many hibiscus-loving insects, this little fellow has wings and can fly - a fact which will make it incredibly hard to keep him away from our precious hibiscus plants.

This is only one representative of the 5,000 species strong Acrididae family some of which create immense damage to many kinds of vegetation - including hibiscus. Still, he is rather cute, isn't he?