Thomas's Two-striped Grasshopper

Melanoplus thomasi

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Orthoptera
Suborder: Caelifera
Family: Acrididae
Subfamily: Melanoplinae
Tribe: Melanoplini
Genus: Melanoplus
Species: thomasi

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Melanoplus thomasi: /mɛləˈnɒpləs ˈtɒməsaɪ/

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

Summary

Melanoplus thomasi, or Thomas's two-striped grasshopper, is a species of spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is found in Central America.

Physical Characteristics

Vvarying dramatically with environmental conditions (and reproductive condition of females) from about 25 to 50 mm, but averaging about 30 to 40 mm. Males are smaller, but often just as long because females tend to have shorter wings. Moderately large for the genus, green, often bright bluish green, with two pale stripes along sides of top, and with bright red hind tibiae.

Identification Tips

M. bivittatus from the northeast and from near the West Coast may look similar, but are never so brightly and contrastingly patterned, and occur in different regions along with more 'normal' brownish individuals of that species.

Habitat

Mostly areas of rank herbaceous growth in places like washes, along waterways, in depressions, along roadsides, around irrigated fields, and often in yards. In moist years it often moves into temporarily more rank growth of desert shrubs and annuals.

Distribution

Central New Mexico to south central Arizona and south across Trans Pecos Texas well into north central Mexico.

Life Cycle

Overwinters as eggs with adults from late spring to freezing weather. Usually most common about July through September, but rains can produce late or early hatchings and alter the season or create the false impression of two broods in one year.

Evolution

Very similar to and closely related to Melanoplus bivittatus, and perhaps merely a geographic subspecies; however, currently treated as a distinct species, and internal male genitalia are different. Where the two occur fairly near to one another in Arizona and New Mexico, they seem to maintain their distinctness.

Similar Taxa

Melanoplus bivittatus