Steppe Dote is the largest species of disappearing grasshoppers in Eurasia. You can hardly find this representative in his usual habitat. The steppe drawing lives on the territory of the steppes overgrown with wormwood, on the slopes and hills, in the low areas with rich vegetation and cereals.
Appearance
This grasshopper of a green color with a yellowish tint reaches medium sizes up to 9 centimeters long. There are individuals a little smaller, and the largest representative has dimensions up to 15 centimeters. There are longitudinal white stripes on the body of the grasshopper, which is its distinctive feature. The cap on the forehead is strongly mowed. Hips and lower legs with sharp spikes. The hind limbs are very long and narrowed. The steppe detachment has a large ovum of sabershaped, the size of which reaches 76 millimeters. This amazing insect is a representative. Some types of steppe draws have rudimentary processes of wings, but, as a rule, most representatives do not have them. This unique grasshopper does not have male representatives, all insects are exclusively females. The oral apparatus is powerful, allowing you to easily eat your throat to your victim. Stepnaya Dote has long antennae, which serve as an organ of touch.
Food
This predator has excellent hunting skills, due to its excellent vision, tenacious paws and developed rotary apparatus. Possessing his long limbs, the grasshopper moves well to any territories. And due to color, this representative is very easily merged with grass in the wild.
Evolutionarily these representatives of the grasshoppers are able to endure long hunger strikes, and in critical moments their own parts of the body can even eat.
Under ordinary conditions, the victims of the steppe drawing are the following types of insects:
The steppe detachment disdain to eat bugs, as they have a rather unpleasant odor. Avoid these insects and butterflies, as they are able to score the grasshopper mouth, which can cause their death.
Character and lifestyle
The life expectancy of this species does not exceed the year. These grasshoppers are mainly night predators, which in the daytime rest, lurking in the grass. Steppe Detance Territorial insect, which leads a predominantly single lifestyle.
Going hunting, she can freeze in one position for several hours to catch good prey. Having caught its prey, the steppe detachment holds the body tightly and makes a deadly bite. After a hearty meal, the grasshopper goes into a motionless state. This species is characterized by an aggressive character. If at the time of danger she cannot hide, she goes into the stage of the attack. And if you catch the steppe draw, it can very much bite.
Propagation period
Since this miracle warehouse does not have a masculine, the process of reproduction of these insects has its characteristic features. Females without a pair propagate in a parthenogenetic way: the egg begins to develop without direct fertilization. The ability to produce offspring of females is endowed 4 weeks after turning into an adult individual. As a rule, this period begins in July.
These insects have an organ, where they lay their eggs. With the help of antennae, the steppe drawing finds the place where it will lay its eggs, and after which the larvae will begin to develop there. For one masonry, the female can lay up to 7 eggs. After the final masonry, she dies.
Eggs are in the soil throughout the winter, and with the beginning of spring, larvae appear. In just 30 days, the larva grows several times, and then becomes the imago.
The threat of extinction
With every year the representatives of the steppe caps are getting less and less. At the moment, this species is listed in the Red Book. The main reason for a sharp reduction in numbers is cannibalism, which is inherent in this type. In addition, the habitat of these insects is often mastered by people, which is why the holes lose their place of residence. Scientists believe that the most serious damage for the population is the spraying of insecticides.
