One of our favorite parts of late summer and early fall is the abundance of grasshoppers we see hopping and gliding over the fields. And it seems each one we catch looks different from the next. In Missouri, we have over 100 species of grasshoppers, but that’s a small number compared to the more than 10,000 species found worldwide. They can be found around the world, on all continents except Antarctica. Grasshoppers are common to habitats such as grasslands and fields that are relatively dry and open. However, there are some species that prefer forests or wetland areas. Grasshoppers belong to a group of insects known as orthoptera, along with crickets and katydids. Usually members of this group are known for their jumping ability.