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Best Grasshopper

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Rankings use category fit, feature coverage, pricing signals, public reception, and recency. Affiliate relationships do not affect scores.

0.0 - 10.0
Best 1 Desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria)

The desert locust, *Schistocerca gregaria*, is a grasshopper species native to arid regions across Africa, Arabia, and southwest Asia. It’s notable for its highly organized swarming behavior, enabling massive migrations that devastate agricultural lands. These swarms pose a significant threat to foo...

9.55 Brilliant
Why this score?

Iconic, heavily studied locust with major outbreak history, vast literature, and exceptional public and agricultural recognition.

Scoring methodology
2 Rocky Mountain Locust

The Rocky Mountain locust (Melanoplus spretus) was a migratory insect species native to the western half of the United States. During the 19th century, the species gathered in massive swarms that caused severe agricultural damage across the Great Plains. The insect experienced a sudden population co...

9.48 Excellent
Why this score?

Legendary extinct locust associated with immense historical swarms and a famous ecological mystery; exceptional scientific and cultural reputation.

Scoring methodology
3 Desert Locust

The Desert Locust (Schistocerca gregaria) is a species of short-horned grasshopper native to the arid and semi-arid regions of Africa, the Middle East, and Southwest Asia. It exhibits polyphenism, meaning it can transform physically and behaviorally between a harmless, solitary phase and a highly de...

9.32 Excellent
Why this score?

Globally iconic species with exceptional documentary prominence, scientific attention, and historical significance; agricultural devastation limits positive public sentiment.

Scoring methodology
4 Red-winged Milkweed Locust (Phymateus saxosus)

The Red-winged Milkweed Locust (Phymateus saxosus) is a large species of grasshopper belonging to the family Pyrgomorphidae. It is native to the island of Madagascar and is easily recognized by its striking aposematic coloration, which includes vivid red hind wings visible during flight. This insect...

9.32 Excellent
Why this score?

Spectacular warning coloration, toxicity, large size, and Madagascar endemism place it among the most acclaimed grasshoppers.

Scoring methodology
5 Titanacris albipes

Titanacris albipes is a large South American grasshopper in the family Romaleidae. It occurs in the Guyana-Amazon region, including the canopy of Amazon rainforest and gallery forest associated with the Cerrado. Adults are primarily deep green, while much of the wings is purple, a pattern that disti...

9.24 Excellent
Why this score?

Enormous size, spectacular coloration, and dramatic rainforest presence give it best-in-class visual impact and strong collector recognition.

Scoring methodology
6 Foam Grasshopper (Dictyophorus spumans)

The Foam Grasshopper (Dictyophorus spumans) is a large, heavily built insect belonging to the Pyrgomorphidae family, native to the southern regions of Africa. It exhibits strong aposematic coloration, displaying bright patterns of red, yellow, or blue to warn predators of its toxicity. When threaten...

9.24 Excellent
Why this score?

Brilliant coloration and its remarkable toxic foam defense give it elite recognition among insect enthusiasts and educators.

Scoring methodology
7 Amazon Giant Grasshopper (Titanacris humboldtii)

Titanacris humboldtii, known as the Amazon giant grasshopper, is a large insect species native to the rainforests of South America. Belonging to the family Romaleidae, it is notable for its substantial body size and arboreal lifestyle. When in flight, this grasshopper reveals brightly colored hind w...

9.24 Excellent
Why this score?

Best-in-class combination of immense size, vivid coloration, powerful proportions, and enduring collector and photographer fascination.

Scoring methodology
8 Collared Grasshopper (Tropidacris collaris)

The Collared Grasshopper, Tropidacris collaris, is a large grasshopper in the family Romaleidae and is native to tropical regions of South America. It is among the largest grasshopper species, with a heavy body, strong hind legs, and broad wings. Adults feed on vegetation and are found in humid fore...

9.18 Excellent
Why this score?

Exceptional size, dramatic coloration, and strong enthusiast recognition make it one of the most visually celebrated grasshoppers.

Scoring methodology
9 Leichhardt's Grasshopper (Petasida ephippigera)

Leichhardt's grasshopper (Petasida ephippigera) is a species of insect belonging to the family Pyrgomorphidae, native to the tropical regions of northern Australia. The grasshopper is known for its striking warning coloration, featuring vibrant orange and blue patterns on its body and wings. It is a...

9.18 Excellent
Why this score?

Iconic orange, blue, and black coloration, localized Australian range, and strong photographic reputation make it a standout species.

Scoring methodology
10 Green Parrot Grasshopper (Chromacris psittacus)

The Green Parrot Grasshopper (Chromacris psittacus) is a large, brightly colored grasshopper species native to tropical regions of Central and South America. Recognizable by its vibrant green body with yellow and black markings resembling parrot plumage, this species exhibits aposematic coloration t...

9.14 Excellent
Why this score?

Brilliant parrot-like colors, toxic-plant ecology, and exceptional photographic appeal make it one of the most admired species.

Scoring methodology
11 Crested Grasshopper (Tropidacris cristata)

The crested grasshopper (Tropidacris cristata) is a large insect belonging to the family Romaleidae, native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. Recognized as one of the largest grasshopper species in the world, it possesses a robust body and wingspan that can reach impressive length...

9.12 Excellent
Why this score?

Enormous size, dramatic wings, and imposing appearance give it elite enthusiast status and unusually broad photographic appeal.

Scoring methodology
12 Eastern Lubber Grasshopper

The Eastern lubber grasshopper (Romalea microptera) is a large insect native to the southeastern United States, ranging from North Carolina to Florida and west to Texas. Adults measure 5-7 centimeters in length and display distinctive black, yellow, and red coloration that serves as a warning to pre...

9.08 Excellent
Why this score?

Highly iconic coloration, enormous size, chemical defenses, and widespread public recognition make it a best-known American grasshopper.

Scoring methodology
13 Painted Grasshopper (Poecilocerus pictus)

Poecilocerus pictus, commonly known as the painted grasshopper, is an insect species native to South Asia, particularly India and Pakistan. It belongs to the Pyrgomorphidae family and primarily feeds on the toxic Calotropis plant, also known as milkweed. By consuming these plants, the grasshopper ab...

9.08 Excellent
Why this score?

Exceptionally vivid coloration, famous toxic defense, and substantial cultural visibility make it among the most celebrated grasshoppers.

Scoring methodology
14 Gaudy Grasshopper (Poekilocerus pictus)

Poekilocerus pictus, commonly called the Gaudy Grasshopper or Painted Grasshopper, belongs to the family Pyrgomorphidae and is native to the Indian subcontinent. The species displays bright aposematic coloration, warning predators of toxic compounds it absorbs from its host plants, particularly Calo...

9.07 Excellent
Why this score?

Exceptionally vivid coloration, chemical defense, and widespread photographic recognition make it an iconic grasshopper.

Scoring methodology
15 Schistocerca gregaria

Schistocerca gregaria, commonly known as the locust, is a migratory grasshopper belonging to the Acrididae family. This species exhibits remarkable social behavior, forming massive swarms that span across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Its notable ability to rapidly multiply and consume vast qua...

16 Mayan Giant Grasshopper (Tropidacris dux)

Tropidacris dux, commonly known as the Mayan Giant Grasshopper, is among the largest grasshopper species in the world, with females reaching up to 10 centimeters in length. It is native to Neotropical regions, with a range extending from Mexico through Central America to parts of South America. The...

9.06 Excellent
Why this score?

Exceptional size, bold wing patterning, and commanding appearance give this giant species elite status among grasshopper enthusiasts.

Scoring methodology
17 Dactylotum bicolor

Dactylotum bicolor, commonly referred to as the painted grasshopper or the barber-pole grasshopper, is a distinctive insect species native to North America. It is primarily recognized by its vivid, contrasting aposematic coloration, which typically features bold patterns of black, yellow, and reddis...

9.02 Excellent
Why this score?

Iconic barber-pole coloration, chemical defense, and frequent photography make it one of North America's most admired grasshoppers.

Scoring methodology
18 Painted Grasshopper

The painted grasshopper, scientifically known as Dactylotum bicolor, is a small, vividly colored insect native to arid regions of North America. It exhibits pronounced aposematic coloration, utilizing bold patterns of black, yellow, and orange to visually advertise its toxicity to potential predator...

9.02 Excellent
Why this score?

Exceptional multicolored warning pattern and memorable barber-pole appearance earn widespread photography and enthusiast acclaim.

Scoring methodology
19 Southeastern Lubber Grasshopper (Romalea guttata)

The southeastern lubber grasshopper (Romalea guttata) is a large, flightless insect native to the southeastern United States. Recognizable by its bulky body and distinct warning coloration, which typically features patterns of black, yellow, and red, it relies on chemical defenses rather than flight...

8.93 Great
Why this score?

Iconic size, vivid coloration, and widespread recognition produce exceptional visual appeal, offset slightly by garden-pest associations.

Scoring methodology
20 South American Lubber Grasshopper (Chromacris speciosa)

Chromacris speciosa, commonly known as the South American lubber grasshopper, is a large insect belonging to the family Romaleidae. It is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of South America and exhibits striking aposematic coloration to deter predators. The insect features a bright green...

8.91 Great
Why this score?

Brilliant green, yellow, red, and black patterning produces exceptional visual impact and widespread photographic popularity.

Scoring methodology
21 Locusta migratoria manilensis (Oriental Migratory Locust)

Locusta migratoria manilensis, commonly known as the Oriental Migratory Locust, is a grasshopper species within the Acrididae family. This insect is notable for its large-scale migratory swarming behavior and significant agricultural impact, particularly in Asia. The locust’s ability to rapidly form...

22 Blue-winged Grasshopper

The Blue-winged Grasshopper (Oedipoda caerulescens) is a medium-sized insect belonging to the band-winged grasshopper subfamily. Originally documented by Carl Linnaeus in 1758, the species is native to Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. While its forewings provide effective camouflage against...

8.86 Great
Why this score?

Brilliant blue hind wings, excellent camouflage, broad recognition, and dramatic flush displays make it a European standout.

Scoring methodology
23 Locusta migratoria

Locusta migratoria, commonly known as the migratory locust, is a grasshopper belonging to the Acrididae family. It’s notable for its capacity to form massive swarms, posing significant agricultural threats across Africa, Asia, and Australia. These swarms have been recorded for millennia, impacting h...

24 Rainbow Milkweed Locust (Phymateus saxosus)

The Rainbow Milkweed Locust, *Phymateus saxosus*, is a large African grasshopper belonging to the Pygomorphidae family. Its striking coloration – vibrant blues, greens, and yellows – serves as aposematic warning due to its toxic defense derived from consuming milkweed plants. This coloration signals...

25 common field grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus)

The *Chorthippus brunneus*, or common field grasshopper, is a prevalent acridid grasshopper native to Europe. Its distinctive brown coloration provides excellent camouflage within grassland habitats. This species plays an important role in the ecosystem as both predator and prey. It’s frequently obs...

26 Petasida ephippigera (Leichhardt's Grasshopper)

Petasida ephippigera, or Leichhardt’s Grasshopper, is an Australian grasshopper belonging to the Pyrgomorphidae family. This endemic species is notable for its striking coloration, a form of aposematic warning signaling toxicity to predators. The vibrant hues are characteristic of insects containing...

27 Aularches miliaris

Aularches miliaris is a large grasshopper in the family Pyrgomorphidae, commonly called the coffee locust or painted grasshopper. It occurs in parts of South and Southeast Asia and is recognizable by conspicuous warning coloration, especially in the nymphs and adults. The species feeds on plants and...

8.76 Great
Why this score?

Highly conspicuous coloration, defensive behavior, and broad Asian recognition outweigh its negative reputation as an agricultural pest.

Scoring methodology
28 Psophus stridulus

Psophus stridulus, known as the rattle grasshopper, is a European species described in 1758 and notable for the loud rattling sound males produce during flight.

8.76 Great
Why this score?

Loud rattling flight, vivid red hindwings, and conservation interest make it one of Europe's most celebrated grasshoppers.

Scoring methodology
29 Migratory Locust

The Migratory Locust (Locusta migratoria) is a species of insect found across a vast geographical range that includes Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. It is monitored heavily by agricultural agencies for its ability to alter its behavior and morphology, shifting from a solitary phase to a highly...

8.74 Great
Why this score?

Extraordinary range, classic locust biology, and strong scientific reputation; less culturally iconic than the desert locust.

Scoring methodology
30 Milkweed Locust (Phymateus leprosus)

Phymateus leprosus, commonly known as the milkweed locust, is a large grasshopper belonging to the family Pyrgomorphidae. Native to Africa, this insect feeds primarily on toxic milkweed plants, from which it sequesters cardiac glycosides. These toxic compounds make the locust poisonous to potential...

8.74 Great
Why this score?

Imposing size, dramatic coloration, milkweed toxicity, and defensive biology generate strong enthusiast and educational appeal.

Scoring methodology
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