Examples of insects that consume grass

Insects are a massive group of graminivores and include some of the most significant agricultural pests. They consume all parts of the grass, from the roots to the leaves.

Common grass-eating insects include:

• Grasshoppers and Locusts: These are the most well-known grass-eaters. A single grasshopper can eat its own body weight in grass every day. In swarms (as locusts), they can devastate vast areas of grassland and crops.
• Caterpillars (Lepidoptera larvae): Many species of butterfly and moth caterpillars feed exclusively on grasses. Examples include the Armyworm and the Common Wood-Nymph butterfly.
• Grubs (Coleoptera larvae): The larvae of many beetles, commonly called white grubs (like those of the June bug or Japanese beetle), live underground and feed on grass roots, often causing large patches of lawns to die.
• Ants: While many ants are predators or scavengers, Leaf-cutter ants are famous for harvesting grass and leaves, which they use to farm a fungus that they then eat.
• Termites: Many species of termites consume cellulose, which they get from wood and dead grass. They play a vital role in breaking down tough plant matter.
• True Bugs (Hemiptera): Insects like chinch bugs and spittlebugs don't chew grass but use their piercing mouthparts to suck sap and fluids from the stems and leaves, often causing significant damage.