Hesperotettix viridis brevipennis

Distinguished from other H. viridis populations by short wings that do not reach the end of the abdomen (females) or only slightly exceed it (males), versus long wings in the nominate subspecies. The subspecific name "brevipennis" (short-winged) directly indicates this diagnostic trait. Otherwise shares species characteristics: medium green body, median light line from occiput onto pronotal disk, pink and green fore and mid femora, green hind femora with cream and fuscous chevrons and distal pink annulus, light blue hind tibiae. Male subgenital plate has large truncated preapical tubercle.

Inhabits grasslands, sagebrush and other shrub associations, and abandoned fields where host plants occur. Distribution is patchy and tied to presence of composite shrubs, particularly snakeweeds (Gutierrezia spp.) and rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus/Ericameria spp.).

Northwestern United States; also recorded from Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, and northeastern Mexico. Distribution is discontinuous and follows host plant occurrence.

Hatching occurs in intermediate period, approximately two to three weeks after early-hatching species; in northern mixedgrass prairie, hatching mid-June. Nymphal development approximately 55 days. Adults present from late July through September, with reproductive activity continuing until early September in northern populations.

Feeds primarily on composite forbs, especially snakeweeds (Gutierrezia spp.) including broom snakeweed and threadleaf snakeweed. Also consumes rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus/Ericameria spp.), western ragweed (Ambrosia psilostachya), Missouri goldenrod (Solidago missouriensis), and other Asteraceae. Trace amounts of grasses, flower petals, pollen, fungi, and arthropods occasionally ingested.

• Gutierrezia sarothrae - primary hostbroom snakeweed
• Gutierrezia microcephala - primary hostthreadleaf snakeweed
• Chrysothamnus nauseosus - hostrabbitbrush; now Ericameria nauseosa
• Ericameria nauseosa - hostrabbitbrush
• Ambrosia psilostachya - hostwestern ragweed
• Solidago missouriensis - hostMissouri goldenrod

One generation annually. Eggs laid in soil at approximately 1 inch depth in tough-walled pods containing approximately 10 tan eggs 4.3–4.7 mm long. Embryos develop to stage 19, then diapause and overwinter at this stage. Hatching begins mid-June in northern areas, earlier in southern populations. Five nymphal instars required to reach adulthood; nymphal period approximately 55 days under field conditions, longer (68–74 days) in laboratory rearing on snakeweed.

Phytophilous species spending most of active life on host plants. Roosts head-up on stems during night. After sunrise, basks by turning side perpendicular to sun's rays while maintaining vertical roosting posture. Later morning basking occurs on ground surface in horizontal position with hindleg lowered. Evasive flights short (2–6 feet), silent, straight, and low (6–9 inches), initiated when temperatures reach approximately 68°F at roosting height. When disturbed, jumps short distances (2–8 inches) between stems, maintaining vertical orientation; occasionally jumps to ground but immediately returns to host plant. Does not drop to ground to evade predators. Avoids overheating by moving to shady side of plant stem. Evening behavior includes crawling to within 6 inches of host plant, then jumping to roosting position.

Specialist herbivore on low-value rangeland shrubs that compete with forage plants for soil moisture. Feeding on snakeweeds, which are toxic to livestock, may reduce plant density and seedling survival. Considered beneficial in rangeland management contexts due to suppression of undesirable shrubs. Serves as prey for various vertebrate and invertebrate predators.

Considered economically beneficial as biological control agent against broom snakeweed, a toxic rangeland weed causing livestock illness and abortion. Research has investigated feasibility of augmenting populations for snakeweed management. Not a pest of crops or valuable forage.

• Hypochlora albaBoth green, spurthroated, medium-sized grasshoppers found in similar habitats. H. alba is pale green with green antennae spotted brown in older instars, and hind femur pale green spotted brown; H. viridis is medium green with black antennae having pale annuli, and hind femur with black spots or chevrons.
• Hesperotettix viridis viridisNominate subspecies has long wings reaching or exceeding abdomen tip; brevipennis has distinctly short wings.
• Hesperotettix speciosusCongeneric species with similar host associations; distinguished by different color pattern and male genitalia structure.

• BugGuide
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• Catalogue of Life
• Snakeweed Grasshopper
• Grasshoppers of Colorado
• Grasshoppers of Colorado
• Grasshoppers of Colorado
• Cudweed Grasshopper
• Species Records and Accounts