Schistocerca shoshone

(Thomas, 1873)

green bird grasshopper, green valley grasshopper

Schistocerca shoshone is a large in the bird grasshopper group, recognized by its green coloration. The exhibits notable dietary plasticity: while fundamentally , have been observed specializing on single plants including Simmondsia and Prosopis when these dominate local vegetation. Genetic differences between populations may underlie this feeding variation. It ranges across southwestern North America and has been documented as far north as Colorado.

Schistocerca shoshone by (c) Bobby McCabe, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Bobby McCabe. Used under a CC-BY license.Schistocerca P1500896a by xpda. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.Schistocerca shoshone with scale by Lake Mead NRA Public Affairs. Used under a Public domain license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Schistocerca shoshone: //ˌskɪstəˈsɜːrkə ʃoʊˈʃoʊni//

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

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Habitat

Riparian areas and desert environments. Observed along river edges clinging to cattails and grasses, as well as in desert plantations and mountainous desert regions.

Distribution

Southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Documented in Arizona, California, Utah, Colorado, and Mexico (Northwest region).

Diet

but capable of monophagy. Field show flexible feeding: riparian insects eat plants roughly in proportion to availability (avoiding broad-leaved herbaceous plants), while desert populations may specialize exclusively on woody plants such as Simmondsia or Prosopis. Laboratory experiments confirm acceptance of Simmondsia and Prosopis; other common woody plants from the are generally rejected without feeding.

Host Associations

  • Simmondsia - food plantexclusive for some desert
  • Prosopis - food plantmain for Portal, Arizona

Behavior

Exhibits -dependent behavioral plasticity typical of the . Capable of long-distance ; individuals have been observed colliding with observers after leaping from ground vegetation.

Similar Taxa

More Details

Feeding specialization

Despite being classified as , S. shoshone shows -level feeding specialization that appears genetically based rather than induced by experience. This makes it a notable example of monophagy evolving within a polyphagous .

Locust potential

As a member of Schistocerca, which includes the (S. gregaria), this possesses the biological machinery for -dependent phase , though it is not known to form destructive swarms.

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Sources and further reading