Waterhyacinth Grasshopper (Cornops aquaticum (Bruner, 1906))
Scientific name: Cornops aquaticum (Bruner, 1906)
Common name: Waterhyacinth Grasshopper
French name:
Order: Orthoptera
Family: Acrididae
Wingspan : 23-29 mm. Females are slightly larger than males.
Biotope: Water places with Water Hyacinths (Eichhornia sp) or Pontederia sp. The Waterhyacinth Grasshopper is a semi-aquatic insect. Adults and nymphs can swim. Adults can fly from one suitable place to another one.
Geographic area: Central America and South America, from southern Mexico to Uruguay and north-east Argentina. Introduced to South Africa to control and limit infestations of Water Hyacinths (Eichhornia crassipes).
Observation period :
Adult Waterhyacinth Grasshopper is a green colour with one black stripe from the eye to the tip of the wing on each side.
Nymphs are mottled with blue-brown and brown-red.
Adults and nymphs feed on Water Hyacinths.

Waterhyacinth Grasshopper (Cornops aquaticum) - French Guiana, France - March 3rd 2012
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Waterhyacinth Grasshopper (Cornops aquaticum)
I have shot this picture on the Îles du Salut (Islands of Salvation in English, in fact on the Île Royale).
It is not surprising to observe this insect here because the former quarry, now converted into a rainwater tank, is covered with Water Hyacinths.

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