Huge grasshoppers are hopping around the residential halls at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. They have been spotted on walls and windows primarily near Legacy Park Apartments and are causing a disturbance to those who do not enjoy large bugs. The insects have started to make their appearance in large numbers this year even though the cause is unknown.
The grasshoppers have not been harmful to any students thus far, even though they have reportedly jumped at some individuals from time to time. For the most part, they are known to stay in the same spot for extended periods of time, sometimes appearing dead.
Keziah Kelly, a freshman majoring in psychology, commented, “I’ve seen the giant grasshoppers, I see them often. They look kind of scary to me not gonna lie, and I feel like they are going to jump on me whenever I try to go back to my room. I never liked insects big or small so I hope they go away soon.”
All grasshoppers in general do not pose any danger to humans. When threatened they release an unharmful spit. Grasshoppers are typically most active during the day, but feed at night. Therefore, it is not their usual behavior for them to stay still for extended periods of times like they have been seen doing at UL Lafayette.
Grasshoppers are also strictly herbivores, their diet mainly consisting of grass, leaves, flowers and crops. Their eating habits contribute to the overall health of the environment since they prune plants and by doing so, are promoting new growth. That being said, grasshoppers are more helpful than harmful.
Even though the grasshoppers are a bit bigger than average, all we can do is welcome our new insect friends on campus and let them do their job helping our environment.