Hypochlora

The sole species Hypochlora alba is a medium-sized, short-winged, pale green grasshopper with many small brown spots covering the body. A characteristic broad green band runs behind the eye on the side of the head and continues onto the lateral lobe of the pronotum and the sides of the meso and metanotum. Dry, pinned specimens turn dull yellowish tan. The male cercus is broad at the base and slender apically, the furcula is short and slender, and the subgenital plate bears an apical tubercle. Females are typically short-winged but infrequently possess long wings extending 2–3 mm beyond the abdomen. Nymphs have pale green heads and antennae with anterior pale annuli on segments, pale green pronotum with median carina, and pale green hind tibiae.

Grasslands east of the Rocky Mountains, particularly mixedgrass prairie, tallgrass prairie, and sand prairie. Distribution is irregular and closely tied to patches of the host plant cudweed sagewort (Artemisia ludoviciana), which grows in sandy loam slopes, ravine bottoms, and well-watered situations. In Colorado, found at elevations up to 6,000 feet but not higher.

North American grasslands east of the Rocky Mountains, recorded from 11 U.S. states (including Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, Kansas, Wyoming, North Dakota, Montana) and 3 Canadian provinces. Distribution is patchy and correlates with host plant availability rather than continuous across the range.

Late-developing species. Hatching begins approximately one month after Ageneotettix deorum, starting as early as May 15 in eastern Kansas, June 1 in southeastern North Dakota and northern Colorado. Hatching continues for approximately one month. Nymphal development lasts 44–46 days. Adults present from late July through early October, with observations in Colorado from July 31 to October 4.

Specialized feeder primarily on young leaves of cudweed sagewort (Artemisia ludoviciana). Also consumes other Artemisia species in lesser amounts including A. frigida, A. cana, and A. glauca. Trace amounts of grasses (blue grama, buffalograss, needle-and-thread, western wheatgrass, sand dropseed, prairie sandreed) and forbs (western ragweed, leadplant, common yarrow, wild indigo) have been found in crop contents. The only grasshopper species known to survive on cudweed sagewort, which has pubescent leaves that interfere with digestion by polyphagous species.

Eggs laid in soil in interspersed bare areas of grassland. Female drills into soil while holding upright plant, with oviposition taking approximately 75 minutes; egg pod is slightly curved, 5/8 to 3/4 inch long, containing 8–12 tan eggs 3.8–4.9 mm long. Eggs oriented nearly vertically in ground. Five nymphal instars required for both sexes to reach adulthood. Overwinters as eggs in diapause. One generation annually.

Phytophilous species spending almost all time on host plant. Nymphs and adults rest vertically head-up on main stems of cudweed at heights of 5–12 inches, occasionally on top leaves in horizontal position. Basks after sunrise by turning side perpendicular to sun's rays and lowering hindleg to expose abdomen, continuing for approximately two hours before feeding. When disturbed, jumps 2–8 inches between stems retaining vertical orientation; occasionally jumps up to 2 feet to ground but immediately returns to host plant. Does not drop to ground to evade predators. Moves to shady side of stem when air temperatures exceed 100°F. Limited dispersal ability due to short wings; females with long wings observed rarely (six specimens in South Dakota 1924–1931) suggesting occasional flight capability.

Specialist herbivore tightly linked to Artemisia ludoviciana patches. Population density correlates with host plant distribution, reaching six young adults per square yard in dense cudweed patches versus 0.8 per square yard in general area. Functions as part of forb-feeding grasshopper assemblage in prairie ecosystems. Host plant has fair to good forage value for sheep and fair for cattle in New Mexico, with soil-binding and erosion prevention functions in northern states.

Minor economic impact. At densities of six young adults per square yard causes visible but minor damage to cudweed sagewort, consuming leaf sections from edge to midvein. Not considered a significant agricultural pest. Host plant has mixed forage value for livestock and ecological value for soil stabilization. Potential indicator species for prairie ecosystem health due to specialized host association.

• Hesperotettix viridisBoth are spur-throated grasshoppers with green coloration. H. viridis is medium green versus pale green in Hypochlora alba; has black antennae with pale anterior annuli versus green antennae in H. alba; and has hind femur medium green with black spots or chevrons versus pale green with brown spots in H. alba.

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• Cudweed Grasshopper
• Snakeweed Grasshopper
• Grasshoppers of Colorado
• Grasshoppers of Colorado
• Grasshoppers of Colorado
• Grasshoppers of Colorado
• A high-quality draft genome assembly of the Neotropical butterfly, Batesia hypochlora (Nymphalidae: Biblidinae)
• Morphology and Distribution of Sensilla on the Antennae and Mouthparts of Hypochlora alba (Orthoptera: Acrididae)
• A high-quality draft genome assembly of the Neotropical butterfly, Batesia hypochlora (Nymphalidae: Biblidinae)