Diabolocatantops pinguis (Mating Behavior)

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Latin Name

Observation Date

Location

Diabolocatantops pinguis

16 June 2025

Epe, Lagos, Nigeria

Today, I bring to you Diabolocatantops pinguis grasshopper.

I found them under two different conditions — one pair inseparable in the garden, and the other hopping here and there. This beautiful insect flew from one place to another within the garden. I was able to take 50 good pictures, out of which I published a few.

They looked like grasshoppers in a romantic setup — almost as if they didn’t want to leave each other. Probably mating... who knows?

The funny thing is that these grasshoppers are of the same species. One must be a male, and the other a female. They flew together from one place to another whenever they felt insecure. Just like butterflies, I’ll call this grasshopper moment a honeymoon.

Brown and energetic. I like it.

Scientific Details

Stephenia. Genus Stephenia (a member of Acraeas, Actinotes, and Allies Tribe Acraeini)

Name on hive

Aristortle01

Link

www.inaturalist.org/observations/289108558

Camera used

Phone

Phone

Carmon 12

Camera

Macro

ISO Speed

110

Location

Odomola, Nigeria

Feel free to scroll through. The first grasshopper below is probably wiping its eye.

https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/521909242/large.jpg

https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/521909218/large.jpg

https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/521895682/large.jpg

Can you see that the male grasshopper positions itself on the female's back. This is the mating behavior. You cannot easily separate them when they are in this position.

https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/521909272/large.jpg

https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/521909342/large.jpg

https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/521909346/large.jpg

https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/521909304/large.jpg

https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/521909277/large.jpg

https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/521909270/large.jpg

https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/521909253/large.jpg

https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/521909225/large.jpg

https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/521894476/large.jpg

https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/521894402/large.jpg

https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/521896252/large.jpg

This connection allows for sperm transfer; however, they can still hop together while positioned like this. The process takes a while.

Thanks for viewing!

Observation links: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/aristortle01

or

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/290137375

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/290131506

Diabolocatantops pinguis (Mating Behavior) | Ecency