'Lost' grasshopper species rediscovered in the wild after 43 years
It was a discovery no one expected—not on a casual night hike, and certainly not after nearly three decades of silence from a species declared extinct. But in 2023, deep in the misty highlands of São Nicolau in Cape Verde, a lost insect made an extraordinary comeback.
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The Monte Gordo grasshopper (Eyprepocprifas insularis), last seen alive in 1980 and officially declared extinct in 1996, has been found once again—alive and leaping.
Dutch biologists Rob Felix and Annelies Jacobs were on a holiday field trip to Cape Verde when their flashlight caught something unexpected: a grasshopper perched calmly on a mountain path.
'On our first evening, we were heading toward a seabird colony when I noticed it sitting on the trail,' Felix recounted.
'Under the torchlight, its features stood out immediately. I shouted, 'It's Eyprepocprifas!'—and somehow, I was right.'
In the days that followed, the team found more specimens—males, females, and even nymphs—on the upper slopes of Monte Gordo, a rugged peak that dominates São Nicolau Island.
A living fossil on the edge
This rediscovered grasshopper isn't just rare—it's one of a kind. Eyprepocprifas insularis is the only short-winged grasshopper species endemic to Cape Verde, and it appears to have undergone minimal evolutionary change for millions of years.
Scientists describe it as a 'living fossil', a biological relic from an ancient time.
'E. insularis must have been there for a very long time and has been able to withstand the severe ecological conditions,' noted the study authors in their 2023 findings.
Its thick exoskeleton may be an evolutionary response to Cape Verde's harsh drought cycles and high-altitude microclimates, helping reduce water loss and survive in extreme environments.
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Where it lives: Monte Gordo Natural Park
The grasshopper was found exclusively within Monte Gordo Natural Park, a protected highland area on São Nicolau. The species appears to live between 650 and 1,100 meters (2,130 to 3,610 feet) above sea level, favoring northeast-facing slopes—moist, fog-covered zones that receive more humidity than the surrounding arid landscape.
This specific habitat—rocky ground, native shrubs like Euphorbia tuckeyana, and scattered fog-fed vegetation—provides the conditions necessary for the insect's survival.
However, the area has been altered in the past, with non-native trees such as pine, cypress, and eucalyptus planted across parts of the park.
These changes have fragmented the natural vegetation, but pockets of native plant life remain, allowing this rare insect to cling to existence.
Tiny territory, big risk
Despite the thrilling rediscovery, E. insularis is far from safe. The grasshopper was found only in a very small area—about 12 square kilometers (4.6 square miles)—all within the northern section of the park.
Because of this incredibly limited range and the ongoing risk of habitat loss, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) now classifies the species as 'Vulnerable.' That status could easily shift to endangered if environmental pressures increase.
Behavior and ecology still unfolding
Though research is just beginning, early observations show that E. insularis is a powerful jumper, using strong hind legs to leap long distances when startled. The adults are often found sitting quietly on bare ground or rocks, while the nymphs—still largely a mystery—were observed clinging to Asteriscus smithii, a plant native to the region. This could hint at a host-plant relationship that scientists have yet to fully explore.
Interestingly, the insect appears to be active both during the day and at night, which may be another adaptation to its unique climate niche.
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