Among its other defensive behaviors and methods: spreading its wings, hissing by expelling air from its spiracles, secreting a foul-smelling froth, and vomiting. But, despite its potentially frightening appearance, it is harmless to humans and rarely a significant plant pest.
“The bottom line is that this grasshopper presents a really frightening appearance, but contrary to the concern expressed by many callers, its defenses are targeted to insectivorous vertebrates, and it is harmless to humans,” Schowalter says.
