Band-winged
Guides
Agymnastus
lubberly band-winged grasshoppers
Agymnastus is a genus of band-winged grasshoppers in the family Acrididae, established by Scudder in 1897. The genus contains at least two described species: A. ingens (the lubberly band-winged grasshopper) and A. venerabilis. Members belong to the tribe Hippiscini within the subfamily Oedipodinae, placing them among the more specialized grasshopper lineages adapted to open habitats.
Agymnastus ingens
Lubberly Band-winged Grasshopper
Agymnastus ingens, known as the lubberly band-winged grasshopper, is a species of band-winged grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is found in North America, with confirmed records from California. Females are flightless, a distinctive trait within this species. The specific epithet 'ingens' is Latin for 'huge' or 'enormous'.
Anconia hebardi
Hebard's blue-winged desert grasshopper
Anconia hebardi, commonly known as Hebard's blue-winged desert grasshopper, is a species of band-winged grasshopper described by Rehn in 1919. It belongs to the subfamily Oedipodinae, a group characterized by often colorful hind wings used in display flight. The species occurs in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Arphia
band-winged grasshoppers
Arphia is a genus of band-winged grasshoppers in the family Acrididae, containing at least 11 described species distributed across western North America. The genus is characterized by species with brightly colored hind wings—typically red, yellow, or orange—that are concealed at rest but displayed during flight. Several species are notable for producing audible crepitation sounds by snapping their wings together during courtship and territorial displays. Members occupy diverse grassland habitats from lowland prairies to high-elevation mountain meadows.
Arphia conspersa
Speckle-winged Rangeland Grasshopper, Speckled Rangeland Grasshopper
Arphia conspersa is a large band-winged grasshopper (family Acrididae, subfamily Oedipodinae) distributed across western North America from Alaska to Mexico. Adults are active primarily in spring, distinguishing them seasonally from the related redwinged grasshopper (Arphia pseudonietana) which appears in late summer and fall. The species exhibits distinctive visual and acoustical courtship displays, with males performing aggregation flights accompanied by crackling crepitation. It inhabits diverse grassland habitats including prairies, desert shrub communities, and montane meadows up to 11,000 feet elevation.
Arphia granulata
Southern Yellow-winged Grasshopper, Southern Yellowwinged Grasshopper
Arphia granulata is a band-winged grasshopper in the family Acrididae, commonly known as the southern yellow-winged grasshopper. It is native to North America, with confirmed records from Florida and Georgia. The species belongs to the genus Arphia, which includes several other yellow-winged and red-winged grasshoppers with similar flight displays and habitat preferences.
Arphiini
Arphiini is a tribe of band-winged grasshoppers within the subfamily Oedipodinae (family Acrididae). The tribe contains genera notable for remarkable cryptic coloration that matches rock and lichen substrates. Members exhibit striking intraspecific color polymorphism, with individuals ranging from blue-green lichen-mimics to brown and black forms adapted to barren rock surfaces. The tribe is part of a globally distributed group historically treated as the family Oedipodidae.
Chimarocephala elongata
Rentz' Meadow Hopper
Chimarocephala elongata is a band-winged grasshopper species in the family Acrididae, first described by Rentz in 1977. It is commonly known as Rentz' Meadow Hopper. The species belongs to the subfamily Oedipodinae and tribe Chortophagini. It has been documented in North America, with confirmed records from California.
Chimarocephala pacifica
Painted Meadow Grasshopper, Painted Grasshopper
Chimarocephala pacifica is a band-winged grasshopper in the family Acrididae, commonly known as the painted meadow grasshopper. The species occurs in western North America and Central America, with subspecies C. p. pacifica and C. p. incisa recognized. Males produce acoustic signals through stridulation and vibration for sexual communication, while both sexes employ visual signals including a waving gesture.
Circotettix carlinianus
Carlinian Snapper, Snapper Grasshopper
Circotettix carlinianus, commonly known as the carlinian snapper or snapper grasshopper, is a band-winged grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is characterized by its noisy flight and dark or black hindwings. The species is more frequently heard than seen due to its secretive nature. It occurs throughout grassland habitats in Wyoming and broader North America.
Circotettix coconino
Coconino Wrangler Grasshopper
Circotettix coconino, known as the Coconino Wrangler Grasshopper, is a band-winged grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It was described by Rehn in 1921. The species is known from limited records in North America, with confirmed presence in Arizona.
Circotettix shastanus
Shasta grasshopper, sierra crackler
Circotettix shastanus is a band-winged grasshopper species in the family Acrididae, commonly known as the Shasta grasshopper or sierra crackler. It is native to western North America, with documented presence in California. The species belongs to a genus characterized by crackling flight sounds produced by specialized wing structures.
Circotettix stenometopus
Circotettix stenometopus is a band-winged grasshopper species in the family Acrididae, described by Strohecker & Buxton in 1963. It belongs to the genus Circotettix, which contains several North American species characterized by their banded wing patterns and active flight behavior. The species is known from limited records in western North America.
Cratypedes
Pronotal range grasshopper
Cratypedes is a genus of band-winged grasshoppers in the family Acrididae, established by Scudder in 1876. The genus contains at least two described species: C. lateritius (Nevada red-winged grasshopper) and C. neglectus (Pronotal range grasshopper). These grasshoppers are associated with rangeland habitats in western North America, particularly in sagebrush ecosystems. Some species appear to have a two-year life cycle.
Derotmema
band-winged grasshoppers
Derotmema is a genus of band-winged grasshoppers in the family Acrididae, subfamily Oedipodinae, tribe Psinidiini. The genus contains approximately five described species, including the well-known Hayden's grasshopper (D. haydeni). These grasshoppers are characterized by their banded wings, a defining trait of the Oedipodinae subfamily. Species in this genus occur in western North America, with records from Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, Nevada, California, and northeastern Mexico.
Derotmema haydenii
Hayden's grasshopper
Derotmema haydenii is a medium-sized band-winged grasshopper native to western North America. It inhabits disturbed prairie habitats with high percentages of bare ground, including prairie dog towns, roadsides, and vacant lots. The species is notable for its late hatching phenology and distinctive nymphal coloration. Adults are active from late July through September and feed primarily on forbs rather than grasses.
Derotmema piute
Derotmema piute is a species of band-winged grasshopper in the family Acrididae, first described by Rehn in 1919. It belongs to the subfamily Oedipodinae and tribe Psinidiini. The species is documented from Nevada in western North America. Available information is limited; no specific morphological descriptions, ecological data, or behavioral observations have been published in the accessible literature.
Dissosteira pictipennis
California rose-winged grasshopper
Dissosteira pictipennis is a band-winged grasshopper in the family Acrididae, commonly known as the California rose-winged grasshopper. The species belongs to the genus Dissosteira, characterized by a high median pronotal crest deeply cut by one sulcus and a slender body form. It is found in Central America and North America, with documented presence in California and other western regions. The species is classified within the early hatching group of grasshoppers, with nymphs emerging in mid-spring.
Dissosteira spurcata
spurcate grasshopper, pale-winged grasshopper
Dissosteira spurcata is a band-winged grasshopper in the family Acrididae, commonly known as the spurcate grasshopper or pale-winged grasshopper. It belongs to a genus characterized by a high median pronotal crest deeply cut by one sulcus, slender body form, and medium to large size. The species is found in western North America, with records from California and probable occurrence in extreme western Wyoming. It is listed among species of the early hatching group, with nymphs emerging in mid-spring.
Encoptolophus
dusky grasshoppers, clouded grasshoppers, pale clouded grasshopper, western clouded grasshopper, coast clouded grasshopper, southwestern dusky grasshopper
Encoptolophus is a genus of band-winged grasshoppers comprising approximately eight described species distributed across western North America. Members of this genus are medium-sized grasshoppers characterized by long wings extending beyond the abdomen, banded tegmina, and often blue hind tibiae. The genus has undergone taxonomic revision, with species formerly assigned to Encoptolophus now placed in the new genus Nebulatettix and in Chimarocephala. Several species serve as important components of grassland ecosystems, with some achieving local dominance in mixedgrass and shortgrass prairie habitats.
Encoptolophus costalis
Dusky Grasshopper, Western Clouded Grasshopper
Encoptolophus costalis is a medium-sized band-winged grasshopper native to western North America. It is primarily a grass-feeding species with a strong preference for western wheatgrass and needleleaf sedge. The species exhibits marked sexual dimorphism in body size and possesses long wings enabling dispersal flight. It is most abundant in the northern mixedgrass prairie, where it can become locally dominant, though typically remains a subdominant member of grasshopper assemblages.
Encoptolophus subgracilis
southwestern dusky grasshopper
Encoptolophus subgracilis is a band-winged grasshopper species in the family Acrididae, described by Caudell in 1903. It is currently considered a synonym of Nebulatettix subgracilis. The species is found in southwestern North America. Limited specific biological information is available for this taxon, with most detailed studies focusing on the related species E. costalis (formerly E. sordidus costalis).
Epiphragma fasciapenne
Band-winged Crane Fly
Epiphragma fasciapenne is a species of limoniid crane fly native to North America. It is commonly known as the Band-winged Crane Fly, a name derived from the distinctive wing pattern that characterizes this species. The species was first described by Thomas Say in 1823 and is among the more frequently observed crane flies in its range, with over 2,800 citizen science records. It belongs to the family Limoniidae, a diverse group of crane flies often found in moist woodland habitats.
Hadrotettix trifasciatus
three-banded grasshopper, three-banded range grasshopper
Hadrotettix trifasciatus is a large band-winged grasshopper native to western North American grasslands. It is among the largest rangeland grasshopper species, with females reaching dry weights of approximately 469 mg. The species is notable for its distinctive wing banding pattern and preference for forbs over grasses in its diet. Despite its size, it maintains low population densities across most of its range and is not considered economically significant.
Hippiscini
band-winged grasshoppers
Hippiscini is a tribe of band-winged grasshoppers within the subfamily Oedipodinae and family Acrididae. Members are characterized by their distinctive banded or patterned wings, which are often brightly colored and visible during flight. The tribe has a worldwide distribution, with many species inhabiting xeric, open habitats including grasslands, prairies, and weedy fields. Some species within this group have historically been considered important locust pests due to their potential for population outbreaks and gregarious behavior.
Hippopedon gracilipes
Rehn's slender grasshopper
Hippopedon gracilipes, commonly known as Rehn's slender grasshopper, is a species of band-winged grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is found in Central America and North America, with distribution records including Arizona. The species belongs to the subfamily Oedipodinae, a group characterized by banded wings and often associated with open habitats.
Lactista azteca
Aztec grasshopper, Aztec range grasshopper
Lactista azteca is a small band-winged grasshopper in the family Acrididae, commonly known as the Aztec grasshopper or Aztec range grasshopper. It is characterized by yellow hindwings with a black band and a single dark bar across each forewing. The species ranges from Arizona to Texas and south into Mexico, occupying desert and arid grassland habitats.
Leprus intermedius
Saussure's Blue-winged Grasshopper
Leprus intermedius, commonly known as Saussure's blue-winged grasshopper, is a species of band-winged grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is distinguished by its blue hind wings, a characteristic trait of the genus Leprus. The species has been documented in the southwestern United States, including Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah.
Metator pardalinus
Pard Grasshopper, Blue-legged Grasshopper
Metator pardalinus, commonly known as the pard grasshopper or blue-legged grasshopper, is a species of band-winged grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It belongs to the subfamily Oedipodinae and tribe Psinidiini. The species is native to North America, with documented records from regions including Colorado and British Columbia. It is a relatively large grasshopper species that requires five instars to complete nymphal development.
Microtes occidentalis
little buzzer grasshopper
Microtes occidentalis, commonly known as the little buzzer grasshopper, is a species of band-winged grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is native to North America, with documented presence in California. The species is classified as vulnerable by NatureServe.
Psinidia fenestralis
longhorn band-wing grasshopper, long-horned grasshopper, long-horned locust, sand locust
Psinidia fenestralis is a species of band-winged grasshopper in the family Acrididae, commonly known as the longhorn band-wing grasshopper. It is distributed across the Caribbean and North America, with records from Cuba, Florida, Georgia, and Texas. The species belongs to the tribe Psinidiini within the subfamily Oedipodinae, a group characterized by banded hindwings and associated with open, often sandy habitats.
Spharagemon
band-winged grasshoppers
Spharagemon is a genus of band-winged grasshoppers in the family Acrididae, containing approximately 9–10 described species distributed across North America. Members of this genus are characterized by their association with sandy or loose soil habitats and their distinctive hindwing coloration patterns. The genus includes several well-studied species such as the mottled sand grasshopper (S. collare) and Say's grasshopper (S. equale), which serve as important indicators of sand prairie ecosystems.
Tomonotus
oak-leaf grasshoppers
Tomonotus is a genus of band-winged grasshoppers in the family Acrididae, established by Saussure in 1861. The genus contains at least two described species: Tomonotus ferruginosus (oak-leaf grasshopper) and Tomonotus mexicanus (Mexican oak-leaf grasshopper). Members are found in the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Tomonotus ferruginosus
Oak-leaf Grasshopper
Tomonotus ferruginosus, commonly known as the oak-leaf grasshopper, is a band-winged grasshopper species in the family Acrididae. It is distributed across Central America and North America, with records from Arizona. The species was described by Caudell in 1905 and belongs to the tribe Arphiini within the subfamily Oedipodinae.
Trachyrhachys
Trachyrhachys is a genus of band-winged grasshoppers in the family Acrididae, established by Scudder in 1876. The genus contains at least four described species distributed across western North America, including the finned grasshopper (T. aspera) and Kiowa grasshopper (T. kiowa). These grasshoppers are classified within the subfamily Oedipodinae and tribe Psinidiini.
Trachyrhachys aspera
Finned Grasshopper
Trachyrhachys aspera, commonly known as the finned grasshopper, is a medium-sized band-winged grasshopper native to the shortgrass prairie ecosystems of western North America. This species exhibits strong habitat fidelity to blue grama grass (Bouteloua gracilis) dominated grasslands, where it functions as a subdominant member of grasshopper assemblages. The species is notable for its late-season phenology, hatching approximately four weeks after the sympatric Trachyrhachys kiowa, and for its highly specialized diet consisting almost exclusively of blue grama grass. Despite its potential economic impact as a forage competitor with livestock, populations have remained chronically low with no documented outbreak events.
Trachyrhachys kiowa
Kiowa grasshopper, ash-brown grasshopper
Trachyrhachys kiowa is a medium-sized band-winged grasshopper inhabiting shortgrass and mixedgrass prairies of western North America. It feeds almost exclusively on grasses and sedges, particularly blue grama, and can become an economically damaging component of outbreak populations. The species is known for its dispersive behavior and intermediate hatching phenology, emerging two to three weeks after early-hatching species like the bigheaded grasshopper.
Trimerotropini
band-winged grasshoppers
Trimerotropini is a tribe of band-winged grasshoppers in the family Acrididae, subfamily Oedipodinae. The tribe comprises at least 70 described species distributed across five genera: Circotettix, Conozoa, Dissosteira, Spharagemon, and Trimerotropis. The genus Trimerotropis alone contains 49 recognized species and has been described as an ecologically important group of American grasshoppers. Members of this tribe serve as hosts for parasitoid flesh flies in the family Sarcophagidae.
Trimerotropis arizonensis
Colorado River blue-wing grasshopper
Trimerotropis arizonensis is a band-winged grasshopper described by Tinkham in 1947. It belongs to the genus Trimerotropis within the subfamily Oedipodinae, a group characterized by colorful hind wings. The species is known from the southwestern United States, particularly Arizona. Very little detailed biological information has been published for this species specifically.
Trimerotropis bifasciata
Two-banded Grasshopper
Trimerotropis bifasciata, commonly known as the two-banded grasshopper, is a species of band-winged grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is native to North America, with records from California and other western regions. As a member of the genus Trimerotropis, it belongs to a group known for cryptic coloration that provides camouflage against substrates such as soil, rock, and lichen-encrusted surfaces.
Trimerotropis gracilis
Thomas' slender grasshopper, sagebrush clicker
Trimerotropis gracilis is a band-winged grasshopper in the subfamily Oedipodinae, known by the common names Thomas' slender grasshopper and sagebrush clicker. The species was described by Thomas in 1872. It is recorded from Colorado, Wyoming, and Saskatchewan, placing it in the western North American grassland and sagebrush ecosystems. Like other members of the genus Trimerotropis, it likely inhabits open, dry habitats, though specific biological details remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Trimerotropis occulens
Lompoc Grasshopper
Trimerotropis occulens, commonly known as the Lompoc Grasshopper, is a species of band-winged grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It was described by Otte in 1984 and is endemic to the United States. The species belongs to the subfamily Oedipodinae, which includes many grasshoppers with distinctive wing patterns and stridulatory capabilities.
Trimerotropis santabarbara
Trimerotropis santabarbara is a band-winged grasshopper in the family Acrididae, described by Rentz and Weissman in 1981. The species is endemic to California and represents one of approximately 30 species in the genus Trimerotropis, a group characterized by banded hind wings and often cryptic coloration.
Tropidolophus formosus
Great Crested Grasshopper
Tropidolophus formosus, the Great Crested Grasshopper, is the sole species in the monotypic genus Tropidolophus. This band-winged grasshopper is native to North America and has been reported in southeastern Wyoming and Colorado. The species is distinguished by a prominent crest on the pronotum, which gives rise to both its scientific and common names. It belongs to the subfamily Oedipodinae, a group characterized by enlarged hind wings often with dark bands.
Xanthippus montanus
sandhills band-wing grasshopper
Xanthippus montanus, the sandhills band-wing grasshopper, is a species of band-winged grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is found in North America. The species belongs to the early spring group of grasshoppers that overwinter as nymphs, with adults present early in the season.