Tootfinder

Mexican pygmy grasshopper (Clypeotettix mexicanus) on the banks of the Mississippi River. Like many species in the Tetrigidae it grazes on stranded river algae, so that's why it was there. In related news they are fairly good swimmers compared to other grasshoppers, in part due to expanded hind tibiae. Apparently not uncommon to find them partly submerged and seemingly pretending to be frogs, complete with fake poison glands. Some species carry extra air below the pronotum so that they can stay submerged. Vacherie, Louisiana. #grasshoppers #algae #riparian #tetrigidae #insects #nature #louisiana #nature #macro