Grasshopper
Guides
Hebardacris excelsa
Hebardacris excelsa is a species of spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae, first described by Rehn in 1907. It is placed in the tribe Podismini within the subfamily Melanoplinae. The species is known from North America, with confirmed records from California.
Hebardacris mono
Hebardacris mono is a species of spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae, described by Rehn in 1964. It is known from North America, with confirmed distribution records from California. As a member of the subfamily Melanoplinae and tribe Podismini, it belongs to a group of grasshoppers commonly associated with western North American habitats.
Heliastus benjamini
Arroyo Grasshopper
Heliastus benjamini, commonly known as the arroyo grasshopper, is a band-winged grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is native to North America, with confirmed records from Arizona and broader distribution in the southwestern United States. The species inhabits desert environments, particularly canyon and arroyo systems.
Heliaula rufa
Rufous Grasshopper
Heliaula rufa is a species of grasshopper in the family Acrididae, known by the common name Rufous Grasshopper. It is placed in the subfamily Gomphocerinae (slant-faced grasshoppers) and tribe Cibolacrini. The species was described by Scudder in 1899. It is documented from the southwestern and central United States including Arizona, Colorado, and Oklahoma. The specific epithet "rufa" refers to reddish coloration.
Hesperotettix curtipennis
Hesperotettix curtipennis is a spur-throated grasshopper species in the family Acrididae, first described by Scudder in 1897. It belongs to the subfamily Melanoplinae, a group known for their economic significance as agricultural pests. The species has been documented in North America, with confirmed records from Colorado. Information regarding its biology, ecology, and specific identification features remains limited in published literature.
Hesperotettix floridensis
Florida purple-striped grasshopper, Florida purple-striped locust
Hesperotettix floridensis is a species of spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is endemic to Florida and belongs to the genus Hesperotettix, which includes several North American grasshopper species. The species was described by Morse in 1901. Very few observations of this species have been documented, with only nine records in iNaturalist as of the available data.
Hesperotettix osceola
Osceola Grasshopper
Hesperotettix osceola, commonly known as the Osceola grasshopper, is a species of spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is a North American species with documented presence in Florida. As a member of the genus Hesperotettix, it belongs to a group of grasshoppers that includes other species with specialized feeding habits on composite family plants. The species was described by Hebard in 1918.
Hesperotettix pacificus
Pacific Bush Grasshopper
Hesperotettix pacificus is a species of spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae, described by Scudder in 1897. It is endemic to western North America, with records primarily from California. The species is part of a genus known for specialized feeding habits on composite plants. Two subspecies are recognized: H. p. pacificus and H. p. capillatus.
Hesperotettix speciosus
Showy Grasshopper, Handsome Purple-striped Grasshopper, Western Green Grasshopper
Hesperotettix speciosus is a spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae. The species is broadly distributed across the Great Plains of North America, with a notable disjunct population discovered in the Black Belt Prairie of Alabama representing a significant eastward range extension. It is characterized by bright purplish-red striping and relatively short wings that limit dispersal capability.
Hesperotettix viridis
snakeweed grasshopper, meadow purple-striped grasshopper, green-streak grasshopper
Hesperotettix viridis is a medium-sized, spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae, native to North America. It is an oligophagous species specialized on composite plants (Asteraceae), particularly snakeweeds (Gutierrezia spp.), goldenrods (Solidago spp.), and rabbitbrushes. Populations show host-associated genetic differentiation, with distinct lineages adapted to different host plants. The species has been investigated as a potential biological control agent for invasive snakeweeds. Four subspecies are recognized, varying in wing length and geographic distribution.
Hesperotettix viridis pratensis
Purple-striped Grasshopper
A subspecies of the snakeweed grasshopper, Hesperotettix viridis pratensis is a spurthroated grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It occurs in grasslands and prairie habitats where its host plants grow. The subspecies is distinguished from the nominate form by geographic distribution and subtle morphological differences. It is one of several subspecies within the H. viridis complex.
Hesperotettix viridis viridis
Snakeweed Grasshopper
Hesperotettix viridis viridis, the Snakeweed Grasshopper, is a medium-sized, oligophagous grasshopper endemic to North America that feeds primarily on composite plants (Asteraceae) in the tribe Astereae. It is notable for its host plant-associated genetic differentiation, with populations on different host plants showing significant genetic structuring. The subspecies has long wings capable of dispersal and exhibits specialized foraging behavior responsive to local food depletion.
grasshopperMelanoplinaespecialist-herbivorehost-associated-differentiationbiological-controlrangelandAsteraceaeoligophagousphytophilousecological-speciationNorth-AmericaWyomingColoradoNew-MexicoKansassnakeweedGutierreziaSolidagoAFLPpopulation-geneticsforaging-behaviordispersalsubspecies-viridis-viridisHippiscini
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 capito
Apache grasshopper
Hippopedon capito, commonly known as the Apache grasshopper, is a band-winged grasshopper species in the family Acrididae. It was first described by Stål in 1873 under the basionym Psinidia capito. The species is distributed across parts of North America and Central America, with confirmed records from the southwestern United States and Mexico.
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.
Hypsalonia merga
Hypsalonia merga is a species of spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It was described by Gurney and Buxton in 1963. The species is known from California and is part of the North American grasshopper fauna.
Hypsalonia rentzi
Hypsalonia rentzi is a species of spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae, described by Gurney & Eades in 1961. It belongs to the tribe Podismini within the subfamily Melanoplinae. The species is known from limited occurrence records in western North America.
Hypsalonia tioga
Hypsalonia tioga is a species of spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae, first described by Gurney and Eades in 1961. The species is known from California and is part of the North American grasshopper fauna. It belongs to the genus Hypsalonia, which is placed within the tribe Podismini of the subfamily Melanoplinae.
Karokia
Karokia is a genus of spur-throated grasshoppers in the family Acrididae, established by Rehn in 1964. The genus contains at least two described species: Karokia blanci and Karokia memorialis. It belongs to the subfamily Melanoplinae, a diverse group of North American grasshoppers commonly known as spur-throated grasshoppers due to a distinctive projection on the prosternum.
Karokia memorialis
Karokia memorialis is a species of spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae, first described by Gurney and Buxton in 1968. It belongs to the subfamily Melanoplinae, one of the most diverse groups of North American grasshoppers. The species has been documented in California and is considered part of the North American grasshopper fauna.
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.
Lactista elota
Lactista elota is a species of band-winged grasshopper in the family Acrididae, described by Otte in 1984. It belongs to the genus Lactista, which includes other small, desert-adapted grasshoppers such as L. aztecus. The species is recorded from Mexico, though specific details about its biology and appearance remain poorly documented in available literature.
Lactista gibbosa
Lactista gibbosa is a species of band-winged grasshopper in the family Acrididae. The genus Lactista includes small to medium-sized grasshoppers with distinctive wing patterns, typically found in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico. Members of this genus are characterized by their banded hindwings and relatively short flight distances compared to some other grasshopper groups.
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.
Leprus wheelerii
Wheeler's Blue-winged Grasshopper
Leprus wheelerii is a band-winged grasshopper found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. The species exhibits a notable wing color dimorphism: most populations display blue wings, but a yellow-winged morph occurs in Luna County, New Mexico. This grasshopper feeds primarily on creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) and is an important component of Chihuahuan Desert ecosystems, contributing to biomass, soil nutrient cycling, and plant growth stimulation.
Leptoglossus
leaf-footed bugs
Leptoglossus is a genus of true bugs in the leaf-footed bug family Coreidae, tribe Anisoscelini. Species are characterized by leaflike dilations of the hind tibia, a diagnostic trait of the genus. The genus is distributed throughout the Americas, with some introduced populations in Europe and Asia. Several species are economically significant agricultural pests, notably L. occidentalis, which has become invasive in multiple continents.
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nchanmoss-bugarchaeorrhynchanfulgoromorphancicadomorphanmembracoidtreehopperleafhopperplanthopperpsyllidjumping-plant-lousewhiteflyaleyrodidscale-insectcoccoidmealybugaphidadelgidphylloxeransternorrhynchanthysanopteranthripspsocopteranbarklousebooklousephthirapteranlousesucking-lousechewing-lousemallophagananoplurandermapteranearwigblattodeancockroachtermiteisopteranmantodeanmantidphasmidstick-insectleaf-insectorthopterangrasshopperlocustkatydidcricketmole-cricketpygmy-mole-cricketcamel-cricketcave-cricketwetaensiferancaeliferangryllotalpidmyrmecophilidtettigoniidgryllidacrididpamphagidpneumoridlentulidtristirideumastacidproscopiidtridactylidtetrigidgrouse-locustpygmy-grasshopperplecopteranstoneflyembiopteranwebspinnerzorapteranangel-insectdictyopteranLeptysma marginicollis
cattail toothpick grasshopper, slender locust
Leptysma marginicollis is a grasshopper species known by the common names cattail toothpick grasshopper and slender locust. It is distinguished from superficially similar Gomphocerinae grasshoppers by a diagnostic spur or spine between the front legs. The species is strongly associated with wetland vegetation, particularly emergent plants such as cattails and sedges, across a broad geographic range spanning North America, the Neotropics, and the Caribbean.
Leptysma marginicollis hebardi
Leptysma marginicollis hebardi is a subspecies of grasshopper in the family Acrididae, described by Rehn & Eades in 1961. It belongs to the genus Leptysma, a group of grasshoppers characterized by slender bodies and association with moist habitats. The subspecies designation indicates geographic or morphological variation within the broader species L. marginicollis.
Leptysminae
spur-throat toothpick grasshoppers
Leptysminae is a subfamily of grasshoppers in the family Acrididae, commonly known as spur-throat toothpick grasshoppers. The subfamily contains at least 20 genera distributed across North, Central, and South America. Members are characterized by slender, elongate bodies and association with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats. The genus Cornops, a well-studied member, has been investigated for biological control of invasive water hyacinth.
Ligurotettix
Clicker Grasshoppers
Ligurotettix is a genus of clicker grasshoppers in the family Acrididae, subfamily Gomphocerinae, containing at least two described species: L. coquilletti (desert clicker grasshopper) and L. planum (Pecos clicker grasshopper). Members are known for their distinctive acoustic territorial displays. The genus is distributed across southwestern North American deserts.
Ligurotettix coquilletti
desert clicker grasshopper, creosote bush grasshopper
A slant-faced grasshopper species specialized on creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) across the southwestern deserts of North America. Males are highly territorial, defending individual host plants as mating territories through acoustic stridulation. The species exhibits a distinctive evening chorus behavior and maintains a color polymorphism (banded and uniform morphs) shaped by predation pressure. Females oviposit in bare soil away from host plants, and the species undergoes winter egg diapause.
Ligurotettix planum
Pecos Clicker Grasshopper
Ligurotettix planum, the Pecos Clicker Grasshopper, is a species of slant-faced grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It belongs to the genus Ligurotettix, which includes several species known for their acoustic territorial displays. The species occurs in arid regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico. Like other members of its genus, it is associated with creosote bush and other desert vegetation.
Melanoplus
North American Spur-throated Grasshoppers
Melanoplus is a large genus of grasshoppers native to North America, containing some of the continent's most typical large grasshoppers and migratory locusts. The genus includes over 250 species, with new species frequently described from isolated areas where speciation by hybridization occurs. Several species are significant agricultural pests, most notably the extinct Rocky Mountain locust (M. spretus), which was the most destructive insect pest of the 19th-century Great Plains before its extinction in 1902. Members range from intricately patterned and colorful to drab in appearance, with body lengths varying from small to nearly 5 cm in the largest species.
Melanoplus alabamae
Alabama Spur-throat Grasshopper
Melanoplus alabamae is a species of spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is found in North America, with records from Alabama. The species was described by Hebard in 1920. Like other members of the subfamily Melanoplinae, it possesses a peg-like process projecting from beneath the head.
Melanoplus alpinus
Alpine grasshopper, Alpine spur-throat grasshopper
Melanoplus alpinus is a medium-sized spur-throated grasshopper inhabiting high-elevation meadows and parklands of western North America. It is distinguished by long wings, a dark dorsal stripe on the hind femur often with a wedge-shaped mark, and a bifurcate male cercus with a sharply pointed ventral arm. The species exhibits an extended egg diapause of two to three years and is considered a minor pest with potential to compete with livestock forage during droughts.
Melanoplus angustipennis
Narrow-winged Spur-throat Grasshopper, Narrow-winged Sand Grasshopper, Narrow-winged Locust
Melanoplus angustipennis is a medium-sized spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae, measuring 20–30 mm in length with females larger than males. It inhabits open sandy grasslands, vegetated sand dunes, and disturbed areas across mid-central United States to south-central Canada. Nymphs hatch in May and develop to adults over 36–42 days, with adult activity from July through October. The species feeds primarily on Asteraceae and other forbs, and is not considered a major agricultural pest.
Melanoplus aridus
arid lands spur-throat grasshopper
Melanoplus aridus, commonly known as the arid lands spur-throat grasshopper, is a spur-throated grasshopper species in the family Acrididae. It is native to North America, with documented presence in Arizona and other arid regions. The species has been observed feeding on Flourensia cernua leaves, indicating some degree of host plant specificity. As a member of the genus Melanoplus, it shares the characteristic spur-throat morphology with other species in this diverse grasshopper group.
Melanoplus aspasmus
Striking Short-wing Grasshopper
Melanoplus aspasmus, commonly known as the striking short-wing grasshopper, is a species of spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It was described by Hebard in 1919. The species belongs to the large genus Melanoplus, which contains many economically important grasshoppers in North America. Information about this species is limited in the provided sources.
Melanoplus bernardinae
Melanoplus bernardinae is a species of spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae, described by Hebard in 1920. It belongs to the large genus Melanoplus, which contains many economically and ecologically significant grasshopper species in North America. The species is documented from California and is part of the western North American grasshopper fauna. Like other Melanoplus species, it is expected to exhibit typical grasshopper life history with egg diapause and nymphal development through multiple instars, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Melanoplus bivittatus
Two-striped grasshopper, Yellow-striped grasshopper
Melanoplus bivittatus, the two-striped grasshopper, is one of the largest and most economically significant grasshopper species in North America. It is a polyphagous mixed-feeder that prefers forbs over grasses but consumes both. The species is notable for its distinctive paired pale yellow stripes running along the dorsum from the eyes to the wing tips. It exhibits density-dependent morphological plasticity, with high-density populations developing longer wings and slimmer bodies more adapted to flight and migration.
Melanoplus bivittatus bivittatus
Two-striped grasshopper
The two-striped grasshopper is a large, robust species widely distributed across North America. It is a polyphagous mixed-feeder that consumes both grasses and forbs, with a documented preference for forbs when available. This subspecies has been historically recognized but is now generally treated as a synonym of the species Melanoplus bivittatus. It is considered one of the most economically important grasshopper pests in western North America, particularly in Colorado where it attacks cereals, alfalfa, garden vegetables, and ornamental plantings.
Melanoplus bivittatus femoratus
Two-striped grasshopper
Melanoplus bivittatus femoratus is a subspecies of the two-striped grasshopper, a significant agricultural pest in North America. The species is one of the five most damaging grasshopper species in Texas and is considered the most injurious Melanoplus species in Colorado after M. sanguinipes. It is widely distributed across the United States and southern Canada, with populations that can increase dramatically during drought conditions.
Melanoplus borealis
Northern Spur-throat Grasshopper, Northern Grasshopper
Melanoplus borealis is a spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae, distributed across North America from Alaska to the Great Plains. It inhabits moist, open habitats including swamps, wet bogs, and mountain meadows. The species exhibits a late-hatching seasonal cycle, with eggs overwintering and hatching in mid-June. It is primarily a forb feeder, though capable of surviving on grasses under laboratory conditions. Populations are typically small even in suitable habitats. In Nebraska, it is recognized as a glacial relict that remained undetected for over a century before its rediscovery in 2007.
Melanoplus bowditchi
Sagebrush Grasshopper
Melanoplus bowditchi, commonly known as the sagebrush grasshopper, is a medium-sized spurthroated grasshopper in the subfamily Melanoplinae. It is widely distributed across western North American grasslands where sagebrush is present. The species exhibits strong host plant specificity, feeding almost exclusively on sagebrush species, particularly silver sagebrush (Artemisia cana) and sand sagebrush (A. filifolia). Despite its potential to damage valuable forage plants, populations remain at low densities and significant economic impact has not been documented.
Melanoplus bruneri
Bruner's spur-throat grasshopper, Bruner's locust
Melanoplus bruneri is a medium-sized, fully winged spur-throated grasshopper native to North America. It inhabits diverse environments including arctic tundra, northern prairies, and mountain meadows, often reaching elevations above 10,000 feet. The species exhibits a two-year egg diapause in mountain habitats, though one-year development occurs under warmer low-altitude conditions. Outbreak populations have historically caused significant damage to rangeland forage across western North America.
Melanoplus calidus
Sacramento Short-wing Grasshopper
Melanoplus calidus, the Sacramento short-wing grasshopper, is a spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It was described by Scudder in 1899. The species belongs to the large genus Melanoplus, which contains many economically significant grasshopper species in North America. Available records indicate it is present in New Mexico and North America generally, though detailed biological information appears limited in published literature.
Melanoplus carnegiei
Carnegie Short-wing Grasshopper, Carnegie's Locust
Melanoplus carnegiei is a species of spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae, first described by Morse in 1904. It is commonly known as the Carnegie Short-wing Grasshopper or Carnegie's Locust. The species is endemic to the southeastern United States.
Melanoplus cinereus cyanipes
Melanoplus cinereus cyanipes is a subspecies of spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It occurs in the western United States, with records from California and Washington. The subspecies was described by Scudder in 1897 and is distinguished from other M. cinereus populations by leg coloration and geographic isolation. It is a member of the diverse Melanoplus genus, which contains over 200 North American species.
Melanoplus clypeatus
Shield-tailed Grasshopper, Shield-tailed Spur-throat Grasshopper, Shield-tailed Locust
Melanoplus clypeatus, commonly called the shield-tailed grasshopper, is a species of spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It was described by Scudder in 1877. The species is part of the large Melanoplus genus, which contains many North American grasshoppers.
Melanoplus complanatipes
Western Sagebrush Grasshopper
A spur-throated grasshopper species in the family Acrididae, commonly known as the western sagebrush grasshopper. The species comprises two recognized subspecies and occurs in arid and semi-arid regions of western North America and Central America.