Black Cone-headed Grasshoppers

Description:

The female of this mating pair was one of the largest I've seen, around 9 cm in length. Feeds on plants in the milkweed family, which produce toxic chemicals. When the grasshopper is attacked, it defends itself by ejecting a toxic fluid. Locally, this species is called "zagat", meaning "the one that sprays toxin onto girls' faces". Children sprayed by this grasshopper would say "zagat rashni", meaning "I have been sprayed in my eyes." Before Bedouin sit or stand near to a milkweed plant, they will throw stones at the bushes to scare off any of these grasshoppers.

Habitat:

Spotted on a White Broom (Retama raetam) plant in a desert wadi