The reproductive process of grasshoppers is discussed.
1. Mating: Grasshoppers mate in late summer. At this time, the male grasshopper injects the seminal fluid into the body of the female grasshopper. Seminal fluid contains sperm. Until the eggs are laid, the spermatozoa are deposited in the spermatheca of the female grasshopper. Dr. Siddiq Publications
2. Fertilization: The union of sperm and egg is called fertilization. After sexual intercourse, the sperm is stored in the female’s testicles. The fertilized egg and sperm meet inside the body of the female grasshopper. Dr. Siddiq Publications
3. Egg laying: A few days after mating, the female grasshopper lays eggs (centrolecithal). The female grasshopper digs a hole 10 cm deep with the ovipositor. They lay eggs in clusters of 10 in total. Each cluster contains 20 eggs. Eggs are 3–5 mm long and covered by vitelline membrane and chorion. The eggs are deposited in an egg-case and held in place by a cement-like substance.
4. Development: The process by which a full-fledged organism is formed from an embryo is called development. Fertilized grasshopper eggs take three weeks to hatch. Blooming stops in winter. This period is called diapause. Diapause protects the baby nymph from winter. First, micromeres and macromeres are formed by repeated divisions in the cleavage process. Micromeres and macromeres give rise to the blastula stage. Blastomere cells of blastula stage give rise to gastrula stage. From the gastrula stage, baby nymphs are formed step by step. The baby nymph transforms into an imago by molting. Later, full grasshoppers are born from the imago. Dr. Siddiq Publications