Schistocerca americana

(Drury, 1773)

American grasshopper, American bird grasshopper

is a large native to eastern North America, Mexico, and the Bahamas. reach 4.5–5.5 cm in length, with yellow-brown bodies and pale wings marked with large brown spots. The exhibits temperature-dependent color in nymphs, producing green, yellow, or red forms with black patterning influenced by thermal conditions. Two occur annually, with adults rather than . Though occasionally called a 'locust' during localized , it lacks the true swarming morph of its S. gregaria.

Schistocerca americana P1160593a by
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American Bird Grasshopper by
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Schistocerca americana 3 by leppyone. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Schistocerca americana: /skɪstəˈsɜrkə ˌæmɛrɪˈkæna/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from similar large grasshoppers by combination of size, yellow-brown coloration, and pale wings with prominent brown spots. Nymphs identifiable by temperature-responsive color (red/green/yellow with black markings). Differs from true locusts in lacking a distinct gregarious morph with enlarged wings and pronounced swarming . Separated from S. gregaria () by geographic range and absence of true locust phase polymorphism. Wing spots help distinguish from uniformly colored or differently patterned grasshoppers.

Images

Habitat

Occurs in open, grassy areas including prairies, fields, and disturbed . Associated with agricultural landscapes where it can become a pest. Nymphs feed in groups, becoming less gregarious as they develop. Overwinters as rather than in stage.

Distribution

Eastern United States, Mexico, and the Bahamas. Records from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, and Honduras. Occasionally migrates beyond usual range.

Seasonality

Two per year. present year-round in warmer parts of range due to habit. Nymphs emerge 3–4 weeks after deposition. Activity peaks in warmer months; adults seek sun-exposed surfaces in autumn.

Diet

herbivore. Feeds on citrus, corn, cotton, oats, peanut, rye, sugarcane, tobacco, vegetable crops, and ornamentals. Also consumes native and ornamental grasses including bahiagrass, bermudagrass, and crabgrass. Known to feed on trees including dogwood, hickory, and palm. Will consume non-plant materials including window screens and garments during .

Life Cycle

Two annually. Female deposits up to three clutches per season. laid in frothy masses 60–80 per clutch, 7–8 mm long, orange, buried up to 3 cm deep. Nymphs emerge in 3–4 weeks, dig to surface, feed gregariously initially. Six instars typical (five possible at low densities). overwinter, unlike many grasshoppers that overwinter as eggs.

Behavior

Nymphs exhibit group feeding , becoming less gregarious with development. capable of and occasional beyond normal range. Temperature-dependent nymphal color : crowding induces darker black markings but has minimal effect on background color. Exhibits food aversion learning—can learn to avoid specific plants associated with negative post-ingestive consequences. Regurgitates when attacked; regurgitant contains caeliferins that induce plant volatile release.

Ecological Role

Significant herbivore in native grasslands, described as chief grazers of prairie with impact exceeding livestock and native ungulates. Serves as prey for birds, reptiles, and other . Subject to natural by fungi including Entomophaga grylli. Regurgitant chemistry (caeliferins) triggers plant defense responses that may attract of the .

Human Relevance

Agricultural pest of moderate economic importance, considered most destructive in Florida particularly for citrus. Causes defoliation of trees and consumption of crops to ground level during localized . Damage reported to corn, cotton, oats, peanut, rye, sugarcane, tobacco, vegetables, and ornamentals. Chewing damage to building materials including window screens. Source of caeliferins, a novel class of compounds with potential research applications. Occasionally referred to as 'locust' during outbreaks though this is taxonomically imprecise.

Similar Taxa

Schistocerca gregariaTrue with distinct gregarious morph and massive swarming ; S. americana lacks true locust phase and has more restricted .
Schistocerca piceifronsClosely related tropical swarming locust with which S. americana can be hybridized in laboratory; distinguished by geographic range and swarming capacity.
Melanoplus differentialisAnother large North , but with different color pattern (often yellow and black) and without wing spots characteristic of S. americana.

Misconceptions

Frequently called a 'locust' during , but this is misleading. True locusts exhibit -dependent phase producing a distinct gregarious morph with enlarged wings and swarming . S. americana lacks this true locust form; its outbreaks represent simple population increases rather than phase . The name 'American bird ' refers to its large size and capability, not avian associations.

More Details

Chemical ecology

Source of caeliferins, chains in regurgitant that induce plants to release volatile organic compounds—potentially attracting of the .

Neurobiology

Sensory coding studies demonstrate specialized deterrent in tibial responding to alkaloids, phenolic glycosides, and other feeding deterrents. Mechanosensory show temperature-dependent firing patterns correlated with behavioral .

Research significance

Important model organism for studies of feeding , sensory physiology, phase mechanisms, and nitrogen economy during insect development.