Grasshoppers are
insects of the order
Orthoptera, suborder
Caelifera. They are sometimes referred to as short-horned grasshoppers to distinguish them from the
katydids (bush crickets) which have much longer
antennae. They are typically ground-dwelling insects with powerful hind legs which enable them to escape from threats by leaping vigorously. They are
hemimetabolous insects (do not undergo
complete metamorphosis) which hatch from an egg into a
nymph or "hopper" which undergoes five
moults, becoming more similar to the adult insect at each developmental stage. At high population densities and under certain environmental conditions, some grasshopper species can change colour and behaviour and form swarms. Under these circumstances they are known as
locusts.