Great Moments in Giant Grasshopper Cinema

When it comes to legends of grasshopper cinema, the undisputed master is/was Gregor who appeared in the giant grasshopper epic Beginning of the End, starring Peter Graves. The film depicts an invasion of giant grasshoppers rather than ants, as in H.G. Wells' novel.

In "Beginning of the End," Peter Graves plays the role of Dr. Ed Wainwright, an entomologist who becomes embroiled in a crisis when agricultural experiments go fubar. Due to a series of accidents involving radiation, ordinary grasshoppers grow to an enormous size. These giant grasshoppers start rampaging across the countryside, devouring crops, and posing a threat to human lives.

As the grasshoppers continue their destructive path, Dr. Wainwright teams up with a photojournalist named Audrey Aimes, portrayed by Peggy Castle. Together, they work to find a solution to the crisis and halt the devastating onslaught of the giant grasshoppers.

The movie features scenes of action, suspense, and attempts to combat the monstrous insects. "Beginning of the End" is a classic example of 1950s sci-fi B-movies, known for their low-budget special effects and creature features.

Before exploring the career of Gregor, the biggest of all grasshopper movie stars, let's begin with a faulty non sequitur.

"If locusts are a type of grasshopper (Condition A), then they must have the ability to swarm (Result B), which means they can cause widespread crop destruction (Result C)."

In this faulty example:

Condition A: Incorrectly assuming that locusts are a type of grasshopper.
Result B: Erroneously concluding that all locusts must have the ability to swarm.
Result C: Falsely assuming that all locusts, as a result of swarming ability, can cause widespread crop destruction.
This faulty construction presents flawed assumptions and logical errors that we need to correct before proceeding further. While locusts and grasshoppers are related insect species, not all grasshoppers are locusts, and not all locusts necessarily exhibit swarming behavior. Additionally, not all locusts cause widespread crop destruction, as swarming and crop devastation depend on various factors such as population density, environmental conditions, and the specific species involved.

Locusts and grasshoppers are routinely confused for one another. Not many people while away summer days trying to figure out whether or not a grasshopper is a locus or vice versa not even the evil kid geniuses down the street who delight in pulling off grasshopper legs and"observing" them struggle to move before finally dropping them into a bowl of water to see if they could swim etc.

So let's clarify

Locusts and grasshoppers are both members of the same insect order, they share many similarities in terms of appearance and behavior. However, there are a few key differences between them: The main distinction between locusts and grasshoppers lies in their behavior. Locusts have the ability to undergo a physiological and behavioral transformation called "gregarious phase," where they exhibit swarming behavior and form large, destructive groups called swarms. These swarms can cause significant damage to crops and vegetation. Grasshoppers, on the other hand, are typically solitary insects and do not exhibit this swarm behavior. 

Despite their similarities, in popular culture grasshoppers are good guys while locusts are bad guys.

The grasshopper is traditionally portrayed as a laid-back, easygoing character who spends his days leisurely chewing tobacco. They are depicted as harmless and friendly, with no intention of causing harm to anyone. The grasshoppers are content with their relaxed lifestyle, enjoying the simple pleasures of life without any malicious intent.

This characterization emphasizes the grasshopper's nonchalant and peaceful nature. They are depicted as a carefree individuals who prefers to mind their own business and not interfere with others. Their choice of chewing tobacco adds a unique quirk to their personality, suggesting a laid-back demeanor and perhaps a touch of southern charm.

While this characterization portrays the grasshopper as a "good guy" who does no harm, it's important to note that in reality, grasshoppers are herbivorous insects that feed on plants and crops. Their feeding habits can occasionally lead to crop damage, which can impact agricultural livelihoods. However, in our fictional context, the emphasis is on the grasshopper's relaxed and harmless existence rather than their ecological role.

The locust is depicted as a menacing and destructive antagonist, embodying the role of a "bad guy" a cunning and relentless insect, driven by insatiable hunger and a desire to decimate crops and vegetation. With its swarming behavior, the locust aims to cause widespread destruction and chaos wherever it goes.

This characterization highlights the locust's ability to coordinate with other locusts, forming massive swarms that move with strategic precision. The locust is portrayed as an intelligent and adaptable creature, capable of exploiting environmental conditions to maximize its impact.

The locust's actions are motivated by self-interest, disregarding the well-being and livelihoods of humans and the natural environment. It takes advantage of its voracious appetite, consuming vast quantities of crops and leaving devastation in its wake.

This portrayal emphasizes the locust's negative impact on agriculture and its potential to disrupt ecosystems and economies. The locust is positioned as a formidable adversary, embodying the destructive forces of nature that can bring hardship and suffering to human communities.

Okkayy now back to the beginning/ "End of the Beginning"

If you're gonna make a film with a limited budget about gigantic grasshoppers/locusts.....you're gonna want locusts not grasshoppers. Furthermore, only 200 locusts can be brought into California and they must all be male.

The locusts will have to be separated from the grasshoppers and the males separated from the females.  will have to be sexed. How the hell do you sex a locust?

Determining the sex of grasshoppers or locusts can be a time-consuming process, especially if a large number of insects need to be assessed individually. The exact duration would depend on the experience of the personnel involved, the efficiency of the methods used, and the cooperation of the insects being examined.

Typically, sexing grasshoppers or locusts involves observing and examining specific characteristics, such as the shape of the abdomen or the presence of reproductive structures. If experienced handlers are performing the task, they can examine each individual insect relatively quickly.

Assuming a moderate pace and considering that  200 locusts need to be sexed, it could take several hours to a full day to complete the process thoroughly. This estimation allows for careful examination, potential difficulties in distinguishing certain characteristics, and any additional steps required, such as recording the sex or handling the insects appropriately.

It's important to note that the duration could be longer if the individuals performing the sexting are less experienced or if the insects are particularly challenging to assess due to their size, behavior, or specific species characteristics.

Not a lot of people have a degree in grasshopper sexting.

Out of millions of possible locusts, 200 were chosen to appear in the movie. While waiting to be used, the locusts were kept in a specially designed locust cage. Imagine the vibes in that cage. 200 male locust without a female in sight and very little room to hop. The locusts became cannibals.

The cage was designed with transparent walls, allowing for clear visibility of the locusts' behavior. The cannibalistic nature of the caged locusts emerged as they engaged in aggressive encounters, attacking and consuming their fellow locusts within the limited space.

The behavior of the locusts  included aggressive lunging, devouring one another's body parts, while engaging in territorial disputes and all around savagery. The presence of the cage prevented the locusts from escaping or dispersing, intensifying the confrontations among them.

200 locusts entered the cage....only 12 emerged. Gregor was 1 of the 12.

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