You will need to lift the forewings to see the hindwings, which are used in flight. When a grasshopper is not flying, its hindwings fold up and are covered and protected by its forewings.
Grasshoppers have two pairs of wings. The forewings are leathery in appearance and are used to protect the thin, membranous hind wings.
Grasshoppers flap the front wings and hindwings out of phase, with the hindwings about a quarter stroke earlier than the forewings. In other words, when the forewings are just starting their downstroke, the hindwings are already about one-fourth of the way into their downstroke.
The head, thorax and abdomen are the three body regions present of a grasshopper (as well as all the insects).
The thorax is divided into three sections: The prothorax, mesothorax and metathorax.
The prothorax is the first part of the thorax and is used as a hard shield to protect vital organs and it is where the first pair of walking legs are attached.
The mesothorax is a small segment from which arise the second pair of walking legs and it is where the leathery forewings are attached.
The last segment on the thorax is the metathorax, where the large jumping legs and the delicate forewings attach.
Discover 10 Fascinating Facts About Grasshoppers, featured on ThoughtCo.com.