Poecilotettix pantherinus

Distinguished from similar grasshoppers by the combination of red inner hind femora, orange hind tibiae, and definite brown splotches on the outer face of hind femora and tegmina. The roughly textured head and pronotum with right-angled posterior margin separates it from smoother-bodied species. Formerly treated as Xanthippus corallipes pantherinus, but now recognized as distinct species Poecilotettix pantherinus.

Medium to large grasshopper with tan general coloration. Face is vertical with rounded vertex. Head and pronotum are roughly textured; dorsal posterior margin of pronotum forms a right angle. Tegmina display definite brown splotches. Wings are pink, orange, or yellow with a dark band near the middle and clear apex. Hind femora have prominent brown splotches on the outer face; inner face is red. Hind tibiae are orange. Antennae are slender.

Inhabits dry, sandy areas, clay soils, and gravel substrates. In the Great Plains region, found in grassland habitats. Oviposition occurs in calcareous soils, typically on hilltops and ridges.

Southwestern United States (Arizona, southern Colorado, New Mexico, Texas) and Mexico. Records indicate presence west of the Rocky Mountains and on the eastern slope of the Rockies.

Adults active from early May to late July. Peak activity during summer months.

Feeds primarily on grasses. Western wheatgrass is a consistently preferred food source for adults. Has been observed feeding on needle-and-thread, blue grama, sixweeks fescue, sunsedge, cheatgrass brome, sand dropseed, and smooth brome.

Eggs deposited in pods containing approximately 30 brown eggs arranged in three to four columns. Average egg length 6.1 mm, diameter 1.7 mm. Five instars for males; females may have five or six instars. Oviposition occurs in calcareous soils on elevated terrain such as hilltops and ridges.

Flight is loud and conspicuous. Oviposition behavior involves selecting elevated, calcareous soil sites. Nocturnal activity patterns suggested by absence of diurnal insect species (butterflies) in forensic samples containing this species.

Herbivore in grassland ecosystems. Can be locally abundant and contributes to grassland herbivory pressure. Serves as prey for various vertebrate and invertebrate predators.

Used as forensic evidence in the 2007 Vincent Brothers murder trial; insect specimens from a rental car radiator helped establish that the vehicle had traveled to the western United States, contradicting the defendant's alibi. Can be a pest of rangeland grasses when abundant.

• Xanthippus corallipes latefasciatusFormerly treated as conspecific subspecies; differs in distribution (northern and central Colorado Great Plains) and has two-year life cycle with overwintering as late instar nymph
• Xanthippus corallipes leprousFormerly treated as conspecific subspecies; restricted to mountain foothills rather than plains habitats
• Xanthippus corallipes altivolusFormerly treated as conspecific subspecies; found at higher elevations from foothills to timberline

Formerly classified as a subspecies of Xanthippus corallipes; some older literature and forensic references may still use the name Xanthippus corallipes pantherinus.

• grasshopper
• spur-throated
• forensic entomology
• grassland
• southwestern US

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• Grasshoppers of Wyoming and the West