Orange Grasshopper - Monistria maculicornis
The Monistria genus is part of the relatively small Pyrgomorphidae family of grasshoppers, which contains 13 genera and around 25 species. I have not seen many Orange Grasshoppers in the Esperance region, which may just be my lack of observation, or a general lack of aromatic plants that are apparently consumed by these grasshoppers (As a general observation, aromatic plants are very much more common further inland than near the coast). It is thought the consumption of these odorous plants would make them very distasteful to birds and other predators, and in this instance, the orange coloration serves as a warning of this condition.
As can be seen above, this specimen has only scattered orange spots, but I have seen photographs taken elsewhere of very orange colored insects, so color intensity other than genetic composition, may relate to available food, maturity, or a even a hotter/drier environment. The one above (a female) was around 5 cm (2") in length and quite stout. Interestingly, the 'nose in the air' pose is very misleading, as a feature of this family is a pointed head (the part being held in the air), but the mouth parts are pointing down and here are actually facing the sedge-like vegetation.
I have only seen Monistria maculicornis in the month of March. And my thanks to Dr David Rentz for identification.
