How can some Orthoptera help pollinate flowers?

Some species of Orthoptera—an order that includes grasshoppers, crickets, and katydids—can act as pollinators, particularly in tropical regions.1

These insects contribute to pollination inadvertently while visiting flowers in search of nectar or shelter. As they move between plants, they transfer pollen on their bodies, facilitating the reproductive process for those plants. While many orthopterans are primarily herbivores that influence plant communities by consuming leaves, stems, and seeds, their role as pollinators highlights their importance to the health and functioning of the ecosystems they inhabit.12