The Grasshopper: Food for the Largest Predator of the Sierpe River

GrasshopperThe River and the Térraba Sierpe wetlands are home to American crocodiles (Cocodrilus acutus) living in fresh and saltwater areas. However, alligators only live in freshwater zones.

During their initial stage of lives, these prehistoric predators feed on insects and juvenile fish; but, in their first two weeks, they survive mostly on insects. Throughout the Sierpe river, grows a variety of the famous Spider Lily (Hymenocallis littoralis) which is the host to the redwinged grasshopper, member of a family within the order “Orthoptera.” There are over 2000 species, and their developmental period corresponds with the hatching of crocodiles and alligator’s eggs. These reptiles endure the food finding adventure as soon as they are born. They feed when the tide reaches its highest point, and at night, they gather around the tips of the spider lily leaves, where the grasshoppers are easy prey for baby crocodiles. The http://ballenatales.com/wp-content/gallery/issue-30/thumbs/thumbs_Grashopper-Francisco-cerdas-2.jpg are the key food for these predators. Once they reach adulthood, their size could be between 4 and 5 meters.

Insects are the weakest link in the food chain, the use of agricultural pesticides, the lack of recycling, and the climate change, can cause a catastrophe in the tropical ecosystems. Let’s take care of our planet!

 

Article written by Enoc Espinoza

Posted in Butterflies, Environment & Wildlife and tagged .