Late-hatching
Guides
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.
Boopedon
boopies, ebony grasshopper (B. nubilum), yellow-belly boopie (B. flaviventris), prairie boopie (B. gracile), short-winged boopie (B. auriventris)
Boopedon is a genus of grasshoppers in the family Acrididae, commonly known as boopies. The genus contains at least eight described species distributed across western North American grasslands. Species in this genus are notable for pronounced sexual dimorphism, with males typically winged and darkly colored while females are often larger, flightless, and paler. Several species, particularly B. nubilum (the ebony grasshopper), are significant rangeland pests capable of reaching outbreak densities.
Boopedon nubilum
ebony grasshopper, black-males grasshopper, plains boopie
Boopedon nubilum is a large slant-faced grasshopper inhabiting western North American grasslands. Males are strikingly black with functional wings, while females are large, pale brown, and typically flightless. The species is a specialized grass feeder with documented food preferences that vary geographically. At high densities, it becomes a significant pest of rangeland forage, particularly in the southern mixedgrass and desert prairies of Arizona, New Mexico, and western Texas.
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.
Eritettix simplex
velvet-striped grasshopper, velvet-striped locust
Eritettix simplex, the velvet-striped grasshopper, is a medium-sized slant-faced grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is characterized by distinctive velvet-like dark bands along the lateral carinae of the pronotum and three longitudinal carinae on the head. The species has an extensive range across North America, with major population centers in the Great Plains and Appalachian Mountains. It feeds almost exclusively on grasses and sedges, with blue grama being a highly preferred food plant.
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.
Mermiria bivittata bivittata
Twostriped Slantfaced Grasshopper
Mermiria bivittata bivittata is a large, long-winged grasshopper widely distributed across North America, with its center of abundance in the tallgrass prairie. It is a specialist feeder on native grasses, reaching densities up to one adult per square yard in undisturbed habitat. Despite its potential as a pest due to high individual consumption rates, populations typically remain at low densities and rarely cause significant economic damage. The subspecies exhibits late hatching, relatively slow nymphal development, and strong flight capabilities.
Mermiria bivittata maculipennis
Twostriped Slantfaced Grasshopper
Mermiria bivittata maculipennis is a subspecies of the twostriped slantfaced grasshopper, a large, long-winged grasshopper widely distributed in North America with its center of distribution in the tallgrass prairie. It is a specialized grass-feeder inhabiting tall grass communities, particularly big bluestem, yellow indiangrass, and switchgrass. The subspecies is characterized by specific wing patterning as indicated by the epithet 'maculipennis' (spotted wings). It is a late-hatching species with relatively slow nymphal development, and while capable of reaching outbreak densities, it rarely becomes a significant economic pest due to generally low population densities in its productive grassland habitats.
Opeia obscura
obscure grasshopper
Opeia obscura, commonly known as the obscure grasshopper, is a slant-faced grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is widely distributed across the grasslands of North America and into Central America. The species is a specialist feeder on blue grama grass (Bouteloua gracilis) and is considered a late-hatching grasshopper, with eggs typically hatching in June. While it can contribute to rangeland damage during grasshopper outbreaks, populations rarely reach outbreak densities independently.
Psoloessa texana
Texas Range Grasshopper, Texas Spotted Range Grasshopper
Psoloessa texana is a species of slant-faced grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is found in North America, with records from the southwestern United States and Mexico. The species belongs to the subfamily Gomphocerinae and is part of the tribe Aulocarini.