First described in 1913 by entomologist James A. G. Rehn, Stenopola boliviana is a slender South American grasshopper in the subfamily Leptysminae, commonly known as toothpick grasshoppers. Native to tropical and subtropical ecosystems, its elongated body provides perfect camouflage among long grass blades and marshland vegetation. It features specialized, “molar-like” mandibles designed to grind tough, fibrous semi-aquatic plants, though it can adapt its diet to broader vegetation when necessary. Remarkably, its vibrant green body and colorful striped accents—which help shatter its outline against shimmering water and stems—can shift in intensity depending on humidity, temperature, and diet during its nymph stage. I was lucky enough to spot this magnificent specimen in a city park in Puyo, Ecuador, capturing just a few frames before it darted away.





