Ontogenetic-dietary-shift
Guides
Encoptolophus sordidus
clouded grasshopper, dusky grasshopper, dusky locust
Encoptolophus sordidus is a medium-sized band-winged grasshopper native to North American grasslands. Adults are sexually dimorphic in body size, with females substantially larger than males. The species exhibits strong dietary specialization for native grasses and sedges, with documented ontogenetic shifts in food preferences between nymphal instars and adults. It is primarily a rangeland species, occasionally reaching dominant population status in favorable habitats. The species possesses long wings enabling dispersal flight, and has been observed migrating from depleted rangeland into adjacent crop areas.