Grasshoppers may only live four months, but they make the most of that time voraciously eating up anything green in their paths. I came across this unusually large one tucking into some mint in my herb garden. The warm sun and all the green leaves made it a perfect place for a hungry grasshopper to spend a summer morning dining at the all-you-can eat buffet.
This grasshopper isn’t the only creature eating its way through our dry summer months. The leaves on the crab apple tree in the yard are looking worse every day due to the insatiable appetites of tussock moth caterpillars.
Although this is a colorful caterpillar with interesting markings, the adult stage moth is rather drab and gray.
Below, the large light green leaves of a young striped maple show signs of being gobbled up by spotted apatelodes caterpillars. This type of maple is also known as moose maple as it is a favorite of moose and deer as well.
This pretty spotted apatelodes caterpillar is not considered common here (for more information, see Spotted Apatelodes Caterpillar). It will also transform itself into a dull gray moth.
Thankfully, many grasshoppers and caterpillars are eaten by birds, which are our best defense against these ravenous insects. Offering water and nesting spots in our yards are two positive things we can do to ensure we keep hungry pests in check.
Although few would be reluctant to attract songbirds to their yards, other predators may be less welcome. However, as unattractive as spiders may be to some, they do eat their fair share of caterpillars and grasshoppers, and should at least be tolerated for the sake of their appetites.
Text and photographs copyright Amy-Lynn Bell 2012
Flandrum Hill 
You have inspired me to go outdoors RIGHT NOW!
Pamela, that’s quite a compliment 🙂 Thank you.
People do indeed tend to forget that spiders consume a LOT of other insects. They’re one of Nature’s checks and balances elements. They can be a tad unsettling to encounter–but–consider how gigantic WE are in comparison. If you’re not facing a brown recluse or black widow or some other lethal variety there’s not much to fear from spiders. At least not much that I’m aware of. Anyone care to enlighten me?
Thanks for the post!
Eva, here’s a bit about spiders from the Canadian Wildlife Federation:
“Most spiders, including those in Canada, are venomous! And venom is made up of toxins, substances that can be harmful. But don’t worry. Spiders rarely bite humans. Even if they do, their fangs are often too small or weak to puncture our skin. Usually, they only bite if they’re accidentally trapped against the skin or if you try to hold them. And if a spider does bite you, the venom usually only causes slight swelling, redness or itchiness. There are, however, two spiders that can be dangerous: the brown recluse (also called the violin spider) and the black widow. Bites from these spiders require medical attention right away. But here’s the good news: brown recluse and black widow are rare in Canada.”
My husband was bitten by a spider in the black widow family while visiting South America. Thanks to getting the antidote in time, he survived. So even bites from these spiders aren’t necessarily deadly. However, as the CWF notes, you do have to get medical attention right away. Due to their smaller size, I would think children would be more vulnerable to the venom and have less time to seek help.
Love the Blue Jay! Bugs..not so much. Admire spiders from afar and their webs up close. Still, all the photos remind me of the wonder about us.
Alice, the wonder about us is absolutely… wonderful 🙂 Especially at this time of year when there’s so much to see.
Those insects sure can munch a bunch! Great photos!
Patti, I don’t know where those insects put it all. Maybe the caterpillars have hollow legs!!
Wonderful post Amy-Lynn. The spider shot is AMAZING ! I always learn something new when I read your posts.
Sybil, that was one big spider. I hope it got that way by eating lots and lots of mosquitoes 🙂
(tries not to be grossed out…tries not to be grossed out…tries not to be grossed out)
Yes, spiders are very beneficial – if I see one in my apartment, my panic is moderated by this fact. And if I squint my eyes and stay focused, I can see the beauty and symmetry of these fierce creatures.
Aubrey, beautiful as they can be, this one was so big and hairy that it almost grossed me out too. It had made a large web at the entrance to my laundry room in a very short amount of time which I almost walked into. Eek!
A place for all things…beautiful photos, Amy-Lynn. I am so impressed that you have identified the caterpillars – not a simple feat I know!
Thanks Cindy. Those caterpillars were easier to identify because they had some pretty unique features. I used to collect caterpillars as a child and have always been in awe of how beautiful they are.