Pardalophora apiculata

Distinguished from similar Pardalophora species and Xanthippus corallipes by: uniformly yellow or orange inner face of hind femur (not banded or spotted); yellow hind tibia; tegmina with far fewer spots and blotches than Pardalophora haldemanii or other congeners; hindwings pinkish-orange to coral rather than yellow. The combination of large body size, spring adult activity period, and coral-colored hindwings is diagnostic. Nymphs can be identified by the bandwinged grasshopper characteristics: height of median pronotal carina, position and length of lateral carinae, and color patterns of hindlegs.

Large, robust band-winged grasshopper with powerful hind legs adapted for jumping. Body, legs, and forewings (tegmina) are cryptically colored in variable shades of light gray, gray-brown, beige, or olive, with a criss-cross pattern of pale lines and dark blotches that provide excellent camouflage against prairie substrates. Hindwings are the species' most distinctive feature: bright pinkish-orange, orange, or pale red with a dark submarginal band and clear wing edge. When folded at rest, hindwings are concealed entirely beneath the tegmina. Females are substantially larger than males, reaching 50-60 mm in body length versus 30 mm or more for males. The inner face of the hind femur is uniformly yellow or orange, and the hind tibia is yellow.

Sandy soils in prairie habitats, including shortgrass and mixed-grass prairies; also occurs in forest openings and edges. Prefers open, well-drained areas with sparse to moderate grass cover. Adults frequently found on gravel roads and bare ground where their cryptic coloration blends with substrates.

North America, with a distribution resembling an inverted bell curve. Ranges from southern Canada (Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories, central Quebec) south through the Great Plains and intermountain West to Arkansas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, western Virginia, and New England. Absent or rare from the southeastern United States and far western coastal regions.

Adults active primarily April through June, occasionally appearing as early as mid-March in southern portions of range. Adults disappear by July. Nymphs emerge from eggs in July and August, overwinter, and mature the following spring. In northernmost latitudes, the life cycle may extend to two years with an additional winter spent as eggs.

Graminivorous; feeds primarily if not exclusively on grasses. Both nymphs and adults consume grass species, with no documented significant feeding on forbs or other plant groups.

Overwintering occurs in the nymphal stage. Eggs are deposited in soil pods during summer. Nymphs hatch in July-August, develop through several instars, and overwinter as late-instar nymphs. Adults emerge in spring following final molt. In northernmost populations, eggs may undergo a period of diapause extending the cycle to two years.

Strong flier despite large body mass; when flushed, adults take flight with striking display of coral hindwings. Flight is typically short and low, with individuals often landing nearby. Considered non-migratory despite flight capability, existing in relatively compact, localized populations. Adults are diurnal and active during warm periods of spring days. Males produce acoustic signals through stridulation and crepitation (wing-snapping in flight) for mate attraction and territorial communication.

Primary consumer in grassland ecosystems; contributes to nutrient cycling through herbivory on grasses. Serves as prey for various vertebrate and invertebrate predators including birds, rodents, and predatory insects. Not considered a keystone species but contributes to grasshopper assemblage diversity in prairie habitats.

Not an economically significant pest species; rarely occurs in densities high enough to cause agricultural damage. Occasionally noticed by humans when flushed from roadsides, sometimes striking vehicles. Of interest to entomologists and naturalists for its striking hindwing coloration and large size. No documented direct beneficial uses.

• Pardalophora haldemanii (Haldeman's Grasshopper)Similar size and spring activity period, but has more heavily spotted tegmina and different hindwing coloration; hind femur markings differ
• Xanthippus corallipes (Red-shanked Grasshopper)Overlapping spring activity and similar habitat use, but has yellow hindwings rather than coral-pink, and banded or spotted inner hind femur face
• Pardalophora phoenicopteraSimilar coral or pinkish hindwings, but geographic range differs and tegminal spotting patterns vary

• grasshopper
• band-winged grasshopper
• prairie insect
• spring species
• cryptic coloration
• aposematic hindwings

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• Grasshoppers of Colorado
• Species Records and Accounts
• Field Guide
• Grasshoppers of Colorado
• Grasshoppers of Colorado
• Bug Eric: May 2014