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Carol Muse Skinner | all galleries >> Digital Art of Carol Muse Skinner >> Panama Animals & Insects > Monster Grasshopper - Taboga Island
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Monster Grasshopper - Taboga Island

I took this on our porch at Taboga one night last year - we have seen much bigger specimens than this one - but I didn't have a camera at the ready.
The following is from the God Of Insects website:

Called in it's native domain the 'Giant Brown Cricket', Tropidacris dux is actually a grasshopper, just a truly gigantic grasshopper.
T. dux is the largest of the Tropidacris genus.
With it's huge wingspan, it is a wonder to behold in flight and has been felled with a shotgun by hunters who mistook them for birds.
T. dux are listed as pests of banana, citrus and mango in many countries .

Availability Notes:
Giant females are rare and cost more than the listed price. Pricing: $40-$50 (male):$60-$80 (female), depending on size.
Geographic Range: Northern South America. Wingspan: 25cm
So if you'd like to own your own Tropidacris dux you know where to get one. Or come to Taboga and we'll find one there for free!


other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Margot W22-Jul-2007 14:48
Beautiful colors and amazing story about them.
What do they eat? I guess anything they want. ;)
Guest 20-Jul-2007 19:08
That is one huge grasshopper, nice details and info..I'll pass on buying one..lol..v
Guest 20-Jul-2007 11:01
wow, great catch and he is gorgeous.
Fong Lam20-Jul-2007 00:45
Wow, that's one huge grasshopper. Fantastic capture showing great details and texures ~V~