Grasshopper capable of chemical warfare

Dictyophorus spumans, commonly known as the koppie foam grasshopper and in Afrikaans the rooibaadjiestinksprinkaan (red jacket stink grasshopper), is one of several insects that protect themselves in similar fashion to plants that secrete repellent odours for keeping enemies and bothersome visitors at bay. These grasshoppers send inedible, even poisonous substances to deter approaching adversaries. Some Arctiidae moths can do the same.

The substances are stored in their “blood” and pushed out via reflex bleeding. When air is combined with the secretion, bubbles are formed, similar to the manufacturing of extruded corn or maize snacks. The resulting foam from the insect's body allows wider distribution of the unpleasant odour. These insects obtain the toxins from their diet.

The males of these grasshoppers are smaller, up to 5 cm long, the females up to seven, sometimes 8 cm. The grasshopper colours are highly variable, usually with some bright, contrasting parts. Their neck shields have warty surfaces (Holm, 2008; Wikipedia).