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Stages in the moulting of the Short-horned Grasshopper

YC Wee
on 29th November 2014

At 40-70 mm long the Short-horned Grasshopper (Valanga nigricornis) is the largest grasshopper seen in Singapore. The early nymph stages are much smaller and wingless. This final moult was documented by Lena Chow two years ago.

The grasshopper hung on to a branch of the Portulacaria afra just before the moult (top). As the old skin split open along the back, the grasshopper slipped out, assisted by gravity (above). The wings, yet to be expanded can be seen behind the thorax, somewhat curled.

It clung on to a branch below and turned around to face upwards. The wings slowly began to expand as seen in the following images below.

Once fully expanded, the wings were folded along the body (below)…

…and the skin of the adult grasshopper progressively deepened and darkened, as seen in the specimen below by YC Wee.

Lena Chow
Singapore
November 2014

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

Other posts by YC Wee

Bird Society of Singapore: A credible alternative to the Nature Society’s Bird Group

11th December 2023

Singapore-Nature: 17. Citizen Science

30th August 2023

Singapore-Nature: 16. Living close to nature

18th August 2023

Singapore’s secret “garden”

20th July 2023

Singapore-Nature: 15. Looking versus studying birds

12th July 2023

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Any views and opinions expressed in the articles are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

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