Spharagemon equale

Distinguished from the closely related Spharagemon collare (mottled sand grasshopper) by habitat preference—S. equale occurs in loam to clay soils of mixedgrass prairie where S. collare is rare, while S. collare prefers sandy soils. S. equale has a low median carina on the pronotum cut once (vs. high and deeply cut once in S. collare). The orange hind tibia and orange inner face of the hind femur with fuscous bands are distinctive. Nymphs have a distinct, slightly elevated median carina on the pronotum (vs. strongly elevated in S. collare), and hind tibia becomes orange by instar III (vs. usually orange from instar II in S. collare).

Adults are relatively large and robust compared to most rangeland grasshoppers. The body is tan with brown bands and maculations. The median carina of the pronotum is low and cut once in front of the middle (occasionally cut twice). The tegmina are crossed by three bands, with the distal band sometimes faint. The hindwings have a pale yellow disk crossed centrally by a broad, dark band. The hind tibia is orange, as is the inner face of the hind femur, which is crossed by two or three fuscous bands. Wings are long, extending 5 to 10 mm beyond the abdomen.

Inhabits tallgrass, mixedgrass, shortgrass, bunchgrass, and desert prairies, as well as shrub-grass communities of the Great Basin. In the mixedgrass prairie of eastern Wyoming, it is common in grasslands with loam to clay soils. Also found in ruderal sandy loam sites including edges of wheat fields, roadsides, and disturbed areas. Nighttime shelter is typically under grass canopies; daytime activity occurs on bare ground interspersed among grass mats.

Widely distributed in the grasslands of the western United States and Canada. Resident populations occur up to 7,200 feet elevation west of Boulder, Colorado, with accidental individuals found up to 8,500 feet. Documented in Colorado, Kansas, Texas, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, North Dakota, Nebraska, and British Columbia.

Intermediate-hatching species. Hatching begins two to three weeks after Aulocara elliotti, from late May to mid June, with hatching period lasting 7 to 11 days. Nymphal period averages 55 days (range 49–64 days). Adults appear from mid July to early August, persisting through August and September into early October in mild weather. Egg laying begins three to four weeks after adult emergence.

Polyphagous, feeding on diverse grasses and forbs. Crop analyses show consumption of at least 12 grass species, four sedges, and 11 forbs with no clear preference in some populations; other populations show preference for blue grama. Food preference tests indicate preference for dandelion, blue grama, needleandthread, and downy brome. Western wheatgrass, alfalfa, tumble mustard, kochia, and common lambsquarters are consumed but not preferred. Flixweed is only nibbled. Early reports of mustard preference are unconfirmed.

• blue grama - food plantpreferred in some populations
• dandelion - food plantpreferred in food tests
• needleandthread - food plantpreferred in food tests
• downy brome - food plantpreferred in food tests
• western wheatgrass - food plantconsumed but not preferred
• alfalfa - food plantconsumed but not preferred
• kochia - food plantconsumed but not preferred
• milkvetch - food plantAstragalus species consumed

Eggs are laid in pods 1 1/8 to 1 1/4 inches long, containing 24–26 eggs each. Pods are deposited into bare soil areas ranging from small patches to cattle trails. Oviposition takes 38–43 minutes, followed by 90 seconds of soil brushing with hind tarsi to cover the hole. Nymphs pass through five instars. No males attend ovipositing females. Only one observation of copulation has been recorded (13 August 1969).

Geophilous species spending most of its life on the ground. At night, rests horizontally on ground under grass canopies. Morning basking occurs on bare ground by turning perpendicular to sun and lowering the flexed hindleg to expose the abdomen, typically from 7–9 a.m. Feeding, mating, and oviposition follow basking. When ground temperatures exceed 100°F, climbs vegetation and faces sun directly to minimize exposure. Afternoon activity resumes when temperatures moderate. Strong flier with wings extending beyond abdomen; flushed flights of 3–60 feet at heights of 4 inches to 6 feet, usually with crepitation. Appetitive flight is common. Aggregates on bare soil patches, possibly important for pair formation.

Subdominant member of rangeland grasshopper assemblages. Functions as a generalist herbivore consuming both grasses and forbs. At typical densities (0.1–0.3 per square yard), grazing impact is minor; may reach densities up to 2 per square yard during outbreaks of other pest grasshoppers. Serves as prey for birds including grasshopper sparrows and meadowlarks.

Minor economic importance. Usually occurs at low densities causing negligible damage to forage. In 1921, caused considerable damage to cattle ranges in British Columbia bunchgrass prairie in combination with Metator nevadensis. Adults are conspicuous due to large size and orange legs. Occasionally attracted to lights in urban areas. Not known to form migratory swarms.

• Spharagemon collareClosely related band-winged grasshopper with similar size and coloration; distinguished by high, deeply cut median carina on pronotum, preference for sandy soils, and orange hind tibia usually appearing one instar earlier
• Spharagemon bolliAnother congener with elevated median carina; adults occur in sunny meadows and pine woodlands rather than open prairie
• Spharagemon cristatumOccurs in grasslands of Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, eastern New Mexico, and southeastern Colorado—partially overlapping range but different geographic center

Early literature reported preference for mustards, but this has not been confirmed by modern food habit studies. The species is sometimes assumed to be a significant pest due to its size and conspicuousness, but it typically occurs at densities too low to cause meaningful damage.

• band-winged grasshopper
• western North America
• rangeland
• polyphagous
• geophilous

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• Grasshoppers of Colorado
• Grasshoppers of Colorado
• Species Records and Accounts
• Grasshoppers of Colorado
• Mottled Sand Grasshopper
• Orangelegged Grasshopper