Hello guys!
Today, I want to share a recent iNaturalist observation that brought back some wonderful childhood memories. This is the Rice Grasshopper, a species I've known since I was a kid growing up here in Epe, Lagos!
Here are some photos from my observation:
You can view the full observation on iNaturalist here:
View the full observation on iNaturalist
Scientific Classification
For those interested in the detailed taxonomy, here's the scientific classification for the genus Oxya, which includes the Rice Grasshopper:
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Class | Insecta |
| Order | Orthoptera |
| Family | Acrididae |
| Genus | Oxya |
Observation Details
And here's some key information from my iNaturalist record:
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Species | Rice Grasshopper (Genus: Oxya) |
| Observer | dreeyor |
| iNaturalist ID | 298831173 |
| Observation Date | 2025-07-13 |
| Location | Nigeria (Lagos, Ogun) |
| License | CC BY-NC (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial) |
| Device Used | TECNO MOBILE LIMITED (Model: TECNO CF7s) |
"Jẹ ki a lọ wa Tata": Childhood Memories of the Grasshopper Hunt!
These guys, the Rice Grasshoppers, are quite popular around Epe, much like the short-horned grasshoppers. I remember we used to absolutely love catching them when we were kids! My friends and I would always say, "Jẹ ki a lọ wa Tata" which means "let's go catch some grasshopper" in Yoruba. It was a common pastime, and we'd even compete to see who could catch the "finest" one – it was always a fun, friendly contest!
Scientifically, these are part of the Oxya genus, commonly known as Rice Grasshoppers, and are found across various parts of Africa and Asia. They are fascinating creatures that thrive in grassy, often damp, environments like rice fields.
Ahh feels good to remember childood memories.
Thanks for viewing 🫶 🫶 ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ ❤️