Melanoplus oreophilus
Hebard, 1920
Mount Hood Short-wing Grasshopper
Melanoplus oreophilus is a spur-throated grasshopper to the Mount Hood region of Oregon. The species is characterized by reduced wing development, a trait reflected in its . It inhabits high-elevation alpine environments and has a restricted geographic range.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Melanoplus oreophilus: /ˌmɛləˈnoʊpləs ˌɔriˈɒfɪləs/
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Identification
Distinguished from other Melanoplus by shortened wings (brachypterous condition), limiting capability. As a spur-throated grasshopper, possesses a small spine or on the surface of the pronotum between the forelegs. Specific diagnostic features require examination of male genitalia and shape.
Images
Habitat
Alpine and subalpine zones of the Cascade Range, specifically high-elevation meadows and rocky slopes near Mount Hood.
Distribution
to Oregon, United States; restricted to the Mount Hood region of the Cascade Range.
Similar Taxa
- Melanoplus bivittatusLarger two-striped grasshopper with fully developed wings and broader distribution; lacks brachypterous condition
- Melanoplus femurrubrumRed-legged grasshopper with longer wings and more widespread preferences; distinguished by red hind
- Other Melanoplus species in Cascade RangeMay overlap in distribution but differ in wing length, body size, and male genitalic structures