The pink colouring is caused by a genetic mutation An "unusual" pink grasshopper has been discovered during a wildlife event at a Devon nature reserve. The insect was found by 11-year-old Daniel Tate at Seaton Marshes near Sidmouth. He said he thought it was a flower until he saw it jump and then he realised it was a grasshopper. The insect was later identified by wildlife officers as a young adult meadow grasshopper, which has been born pink through genetic mutation. There is a chance it will live to reproduce and pass on its pink gene

James Chubb, East Devon Education Ranger Daniel, who attended the "mini-beasts" event with his great grandfather, said: "I was looking for grasshoppers when I saw something pink. "I thought it was a flower but I saw it moving, so I tried to catch it. It jumped and then I knew it was a grasshopper." James Chubb, education ranger for East Devon District Council, said: "There are billions of meadow grasshoppers across England but this is the first pink one I have ever seen. "It is caused by a genetic mutation in its reproductive cycle. "It's almost a full adult, so if it has survived this long being bright pink there is a chance it will live to reproduce and pass on its pink gene." He said grasshoppers of different colours were "unusual" but not unheard of.



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