Geophilous
Guides
Arrhenopeplus brunneus
Bruner slantfaced grasshopper
Arrhenopeplus brunneus is a medium-sized, colorful grasshopper of the slantfaced subfamily Gomphocerinae, widely distributed in the hills and mountains of the northwestern United States. The species inhabits mixedgrass and bunchgrass prairies, mountain meadows, parklands, and alpine tundra at elevations from 1,600 to 11,100 feet. During population irruptions, it becomes a serious pest of mountain and foothill grasslands, capable of causing considerable damage to range grasses. The species exhibits a two-year life cycle in mountain meadows and northern grasslands, with hatching occurring in June and adults appearing in July or August depending on seasonal temperatures.
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.
Spharagemon equale
Say's grasshopper, orange-legged grasshopper
Spharagemon equale, commonly known as Say's grasshopper or the orange-legged grasshopper, is a relatively large band-winged grasshopper species in the family Acrididae. It is widely distributed across the grasslands of western North America, inhabiting tallgrass, mixedgrass, shortgrass, bunchgrass, and desert prairies, as well as shrub-grass communities of the Great Basin. The species is characterized by its orange hind tibiae, which give it its common name, and distinctive banded hindwings. It is a polyphagous feeder on grasses and forbs, typically occurring at low densities in rangeland assemblages.
Spharagemon equale equale
Orangelegged Grasshopper, Say's Grasshopper
Spharagemon equale equale is a relatively large bandwinged grasshopper native to western North American grasslands. Adults are distinguished by orange hind tibiae and orange inner hind femora marked with dark bands. The subspecies is polyphagous, feeding on diverse grasses and forbs with documented regional variation in plant preferences. It is a subdominant member of rangeland grasshopper assemblages, typically occurring at low densities with minor economic impact except during rare population increases. The species is a strong flier with long wings extending beyond the abdomen, and both sexes crepitate in flight.