Dactylotum bicolor

The common name for Dactylotum bicolor is the painted grasshopper, though it is also frequently referred to as the barber pole grasshopper. It gets these names from its striking, vivid coloration. It belongs to the Acrididae family.

Dactylotum bicolor features bold red, black, and white markings that serve as an aposematic warning signal to potential predators. This bright coloration advertises that the grasshopper is toxic and tastes bad. Predators learn to avoid these colors after an unpleasant initial encounter.

The painted grasshopper is native to North America and is commonly found in the western United States and parts of Mexico. They prefer dry, arid environments such as prairies, deserts, and grasslands. They are often seen feeding on low-growing plants and shrubs.

Rather than synthesizing toxins internally, Dactylotum bicolor grasshoppers sequester toxic compounds from the plants they consume, particularly milkweeds and other toxic species. By eating these plants, they build up toxic alkaloids in their bodies. This dietary defense makes them unpalatable to birds and other insectivores.