Why is the rainbow grasshopper called a barber pole grasshopper?

Dactylotum bicolor is a striking North American grasshopper species recognized by its vivid coloration. Commonly known as the rainbow, painted, pictured, or barber pole grasshopper, it employs aposematism to deter predators. The species was first described by German entomologist Toussaint de Charpentier in 1843.

What we know

• Dactylotum bicolor is known by several common names, including the rainbow grasshopper, painted grasshopper, pictured grasshopper, and barber pole grasshopper. [2]
• The species exhibits aposematism, utilizing its bright warning coloration to deter potential predators. [2]
• Dactylotum bicolor is native to regions spanning the United States, Canada, and northern Mexico, and belongs to the family Acrididae. [2, 3]
• German entomologist Toussaint de Charpentier first described the species in 1843. [2]

Where to go next

• how it workedWhat is aposematism in insects?
• the bigger pictureWhich insects belong to the family Acrididae?
• whoWho was Toussaint de Charpentier?
• compared withHow do other grasshopper species defend themselves?
• whereWhat wildlife inhabits northern Mexico?
• an unexpected connectionWhy share a name with a medieval trade sign?The rainbow grasshopper is nicknamed the barber pole grasshopper due to its striking helical or banded stripes, sharing its moniker with the traditional rotating helical trade sign used by barbers since the Middle Ages.

Sources

• [1]Dactylotum bicolor (Wikidata Q13565184) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Dactylotum bicolor · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Dactylotum · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Grasshopper · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]Barber's pole · CC BY-SA 4.0