Update: Thanks to the comments on Reddit, this was identified as a Koppie Foam Grasshopper (Dictyophorus spumans). The red coloration is a warning sign that it's indeed poisonous, the result of consuming a steady diet of milkweed.
“The grasshoppers ingest these toxins which they exude in a foam from their thoracic joints for their own protection when threatened. Human and animal fatalities are known to have occurred from ingesting these grasshoppers.” — Kruger Park News
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Wow, that’s just unbelievable, I’ve never seen an insect with colors like that. Also, fantastic photography on your part as usual.
Cheers,
Andrew
So what was the conversation on Reddit about the photo? Nice photo by the way!
The comments on Reddit are about trying to identify it. Turns out it’s called a Koppie Foam Grasshopper, and as the bright red color suggests, is toxic (so don’t be eating them!).
http://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/e64kp/south_african_cricket_amazing_colors_no_clue_what/
Holly molly! That’s one gorgeous animal!
That’s incredible. Never seen anything like it.
Thanks Andrea. I don’t recall our guide mentioning it was poisonous when he picked it up so we could get a closer look!
Dave it’s called San art. cool pic
will only be poisonous if you decide to eat it.