Data from: Ontogeny of color development in two green-brown polymorphic grasshopper species

Many insects, including several orthopterans, undergo dramatic changes in
body coloration during ontogeny. This variation is particularly intriguing
in gomphocerine grasshoppers, where the green and brown morphs appear to
be genetically determined (Schielzeth & Dieker, 2020; Winter,
Varma, & Schielzeth, 2021). A better understanding of how these
color morphs develop during ontogeny can provide valuable insights into
the evolution and ecology of such a widespread color polymorphism. Here,
we focus on the color development of two green-brown polymorphic species,
the club-legged grasshopper Gomphocerus sibiricus and the steppe
grasshopper Chorthippus dorsatus. By following the color development of
individuals from hatching to adulthood, we found that color morph
differences begin to develop during the second nymphal stage, are clearly
defined by the third nymphal stage, and remain stable throughout the life
of an individual. Interestingly, we also observed that shed skins of late
nymphal stages are identifiable by color morphs based on their yellowish
coloration, rather than the green that marks green body parts.
Furthermore, by assessing how these colors are perceived by different
visual systems, we found that certain potential predators can
chromatically discriminate between morphs, while others may not. These
results suggest that the putative genes controlling color morph are active
during the early stages of ontogeny, and that green color is likely
composed of two components, one present in the cuticle and one not. In
addition, the effectiveness of camouflage appears to vary depending on the
specific predator involved.