Rumours of rare pink grasshoppers navigating the rocky shores of a cold lake had long been whispered about. But now an incredible video taken last week has confirmed one of these creatures is actually roaming New Zealand‘s South Island.
Robust grasshopper numbers are already low, and the species is listed as nationally endangered. Ordinarily, they are grey to help them camouflage with the soil and stones that form their habitat.
Experts from the country’s Department of Conservation (DOC) explained that in the wild, the species faces threats from introduced species, including hedgehogs, cats and birds.
Its range is limited to the Mackenzie Basin, and part of its habitat is protected with an exclusion fence to reduce the risk of attack. Unfortunately, the pink grasshopper was outside the fence, meaning it faces a difficult future.
This incredible image confirms the presence of a pink grasshopper on New Zealand’s South Island. Source: DOC
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Ranger Jen Schori encountered the animal during a survey of Lake Takapō as the harsh sun beamed down from above.
Robust grasshoppers become more active when it’s cloudy, so people searching for them cast shadows using their bodies to encourage them to move.
“I’ve been studying these amazing creatures for years. They are usually grey or brown coloured like river stones. I’d heard rumours about a pink one but never seen one myself. It was so exciting,” she said.
Video shows the moment she saw the creature for the first time. “Look at the colour. Oh my gosh, oh wow that is so cool,” she exclaims as she films it with her phone.
Every couple of years, there are reports of the of pink grasshoppers but few people have seen them. Schori believes a mutation is the likely cause of their unusual appearance.
“Pink grasshoppers are exceptionally rare. It’s likely caused by a genetic mutation called erythrism which results in an overproduction of red pigment and less of the usual natural pigment that the species has,” she said.
Although striking colour changes are rare, there are frequent sightings of animals that are coloured white from albinism, or even more commonly, leucism, which can be caused by either genetics or the environment. In 2024, a rare blue coloured magnificent tree frog was discovered in Australia’s outback.
If the pink grasshopper can breed, then Schori thinks it’s possible that more pink grasshoppers will be spotted during future surveys.
But animals with unusual colouring face increased threats in the wild because predators can easily spot them.
Robust grasshoppers are ordinarily grey, but this individual was bright pink. Source: DOC
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