Dichromorpha viridis
(Scudder, 1862)
Short-winged Green Grasshopper
Dichromorpha viridis is a common slant-faced grasshopper found throughout North America. Males are typically bright green with a dorsally slanting , while females are usually larger and brown. This exhibits environmentally induced sexual color dimorphism, with females occasionally appearing green and males rarely brown. It is a short-winged, flightless insect that inhabits grassy areas.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Dichromorpha viridis: /ˌdaɪkroʊˈmɔrfə ˈvɪrɪdɪs/
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Identification
Distinguished from other slant-faced grasshoppers by the combination of short wings and sexual color dimorphism (green males, brown females). The slanting profile is characteristic of the Gomphocerinae. Similar such as Hesperotettix viridis (snakeweed grasshopper) differ in having longer wings and different color patterns.
Images
Habitat
Grassy areas including meadows, pastures, and open fields. Associated with midgrass vegetation.
Distribution
North America. Documented from Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, and presumably throughout much of the eastern and central United States based on iNaturalist observations.
Similar Taxa
- Hesperotettix viridisSimilar (green-streak grasshopper) and green coloration, but has longer wings reaching near the tip and different plant associations
- Chortophaga viridifasciataAlso exhibits green-brown color dimorphism and inhabits grassy areas, but has long wings extending beyond and different seasonal activity pattern
- Hypochlora albaPale green coloration and spur-throated, but associated with Artemisia plants rather than general grasslands