Bird Grasshoppers
Schistocerca
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Orthoptera
- Suborder: Caelifera
- Family: Acrididae
- Subfamily: Cyrtacanthacridinae
- Genus: Schistocerca
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Schistocerca: /ˌsʃɪstəˈsɜːrkə/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Images
Summary
Schistocerca americana, commonly known as the American grasshopper, is a grasshopper species in the Acrididae family, found primarily in North America. It is characterized by polyphenic coloration driven by environmental factors and has the potential to cause localized agricultural damage.
Physical Characteristics
Adult male up to 4.5 cm (1.8 in); adult female may reach 5.5 cm (2.2 in). Body generally yellow-brown with pale wings and large brown spots. Nymphs exhibit polyphenic coloration influenced by temperature, appearing in shades of green, yellow, or red with black markings.
Identification Tips
Species are similar in appearance, especially in the 'Alutacea Group'. Reliable image-based identification may be challenging.
Habitat
Native to North America, occurring in the eastern United States, Mexico, and the Bahamas. Nymphs are often found in localized areas where outbreaks occur.
Distribution
New World, mostly Neotropical; Sch. gregaria is the only Old World species known (found in the Middle East and Europe).
Diet
Feeds on a variety of crops including citrus, corn, cotton, oats, peanut, rye, sugarcane, tobacco, various vegetable crops, ornamentals, and many grasses such as bahiagrass, bermudagrass, and crabgrass.
Life Cycle
Two generations occur per year with nymphs developing through six instars; overwintering occurs as adults.
Reproduction
Females lay up to three clutches of eggs per season, with each clutch containing 60 to 80 light orange eggs. The eggs stick together in a frothy mass and are deposited up to 3 cm deep in soil.
Ecosystem Role
May influence local plant communities through feeding; regurgitant attracts predators.
Economic Impact
Not a severe agricultural pest but can cause significant localized damage, particularly in Florida, where outbreaks may defoliate trees and damage crops.
Cultural Significance
Known as a locust, associated with biblical plagues historically; significant in agricultural contexts in areas of North America.
Collecting Methods
- Netting adults during flight
Preservation Methods
- Freezing specimens
- Ethanol preservation
Evolution
Closely related to S. piceifrons, and can hybridize in laboratory settings.
Similar Taxa
- S. gregaria
- S. piceifrons
Misconceptions
Often referred to as a locust, though it does not exhibit true swarming behavior like its congener, S. gregaria.
Tags
- grasshopper
- Schistocerca
- agricultural pest
- North America
- polyphenism