Spur-throated
Guides
Melanoplus pygmaeus
Pygmy Short-wing Grasshopper, Pygmy Sandhill Grasshopper, Pygmy Locust
Melanoplus pygmaeus is a small spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae, described by Davis in 1915. It is commonly known as the pygmy short-wing grasshopper or pygmy sandhill grasshopper. The species is found in North America, with distribution records from Alabama and Florida.
Melanoplus rileyanus
Riley's short-wing grasshopper, Riley's spur-throat grasshopper
Melanoplus rileyanus is a species of spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is found in North America, with records from California. The species was described by Scudder in 1897 and includes two recognized subspecies: M. r. rileyanus and M. r. varicus.
Melanoplus rusticus-decoratus species group
The Melanoplus rusticus-decoratus species group is a taxonomic grouping within the genus Melanoplus (spur-throated grasshoppers), a diverse genus of grasshoppers in the family Acrididae. Species in this group are characterized by specific morphological features, including obovate or distinctive wing shapes. Members such as Melanoplus rusticus (obovate-winged grasshopper) exhibit cryptic coloration adapted to rocky, lichen-covered habitats. The group is part of the larger Melanoplinae subfamily, whose members possess a diagnostic spur between the front legs and a face oriented perpendicular to the body axis. Species in this group are found in western and central North America, often associated with xeric grasslands and rocky outcrops.
Melanoplus stegocercus
Stegocercus Short-wing Grasshopper
Melanoplus stegocercus is a species of spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae, described by Rehn & Hebard in 1916. It belongs to the large genus Melanoplus, which contains many North American grasshopper species. The species is characterized by short wings, as indicated by its common name.
Nisquallia
Olympic Grasshoppers
Nisquallia is a genus of spur-throated grasshoppers in the family Acrididae, containing at least one described species, N. olympica. The genus was established by Rehn in 1952 and is endemic to the Pacific Northwest region of North America. These grasshoppers belong to the diverse subfamily Melanoplinae, which includes many North American species.
Oedaleonotus borckii
Oedaleonotus borckii is a species of spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is found in North America, with records from California. As a member of the genus Oedaleonotus, it shares the characteristic short tegmina (forewings) that are shorter than the pronotum, distinguishing it from the related valley grasshopper (O. enigma) which has variable wing length including long-winged forms.
Oedaleonotus enigma
Valley Grasshopper
Oedaleonotus enigma, the valley grasshopper, is a large, colorful spur-throated grasshopper native to western North America. It is a significant rangeland pest capable of reaching outbreak densities exceeding 20 adults per square yard. The species exhibits wing dimorphism, with both short-winged (brachypterous) and long-winged (macropterous) forms occurring in populations. It is notable for early spring hatching and a relatively long nymphal period of 42-50 days due to cool temperatures and six instars rather than the typical five.
Oedaleonotus orientis
Oedaleonotus orientis is a species of spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae, first described by Hebard in 1920. It belongs to the subfamily Melanoplinae, a group characterized by the presence of a ventral spur on the throat. The species is found in North America, with records from Nevada. Like other members of the genus Oedaleonotus, it is a rangeland species associated with semiarid habitats.
Oedaleonotus pinctus
Oedaleonotus pinctus is a species of spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae, subfamily Melanoplinae. It is one of approximately nine species in the genus Oedaleonotus, a group primarily distributed in California and the western United States. The genus is characterized by short tegmina that are typically shorter than the pronotum and often narrow and widely separated. O. pinctus was described by Scudder in 1899 and is currently accepted as a valid species.
Oedaleonotus tenuipennis
Oedaleonotus tenuipennis is a species of spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae, described by Scudder in 1897. It is native to western North America, primarily California. The species is distinguished from congeners by its narrow, slender tegmina (forewings) that are shorter than the pronotum. Seven other species in the genus Oedaleonotus share this characteristic short-winged morphology, though O. tenuipennis is differentiated by specific structural details of the tegmina.
Paraidemona
mimic grasshopper
Paraidemona is a genus of spur-throated grasshoppers in the family Acrididae, established by Brunner von Wattenwyl in 1893. The genus contains approximately nine described species distributed primarily in North America. One species, P. mimica, is commonly known as the mimic grasshopper. Members of this genus have been documented as prey for the parasitoid wasp Prionyx thomae.
Paratylotropidia
Beutenmueller's grasshopper (P. beutenmuelleri)
Paratylotropidia is a genus of spur-throated grasshoppers in the family Acrididae, subfamily Melanoplinae, tribe Dactylotini. The genus contains at least three described species: P. beutenmuelleri, P. brunneri, and P. morsei. Members of this genus possess the characteristic spur-throat structure typical of their tribe. P. brunneri has been the subject of cytological study due to its unusual multiple chromosome system, with 19 chromosomes in diploid male cells including four V-shaped multiples.
Paratylotropidia brunneri
Brunner's grasshopper
Paratylotropidia brunneri is a species of spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae, first described by Scudder in 1897. The species has been the subject of cytogenetic study due to its unusual chromosome structure, with 19 chromosomes in diploid male cells including four V-shaped multiples. It is found in North America, primarily in the north-central United States.
Paroxya clavuliger
Olive-green Swamp Grasshopper, olive-green swamp locust
Paroxya clavuliger is a species of spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae, commonly known as the olive-green swamp grasshopper. It is found in the southern and eastern United States, where it inhabits wetland environments. The species is recognized by its olive-green coloration and association with swampy habitats.
Podismini
spur-throated grasshoppers
Podismini is a tribe of spur-throated grasshoppers within the subfamily Melanoplinae of the family Acrididae. It is distinguished from other Melanoplinae tribes by a cosmopolitan northern hemisphere distribution, with substantial representation outside the Americas. The tribe comprises approximately 12 genera and at least 20 described species, organized into four subtribes (Miramellina, Podismina, Tonkinacridina) and one genus group (Bradynotae). Members are characterized by winglessness or reduced wings in many species, particularly in montane and temperate lineages.
Poecilotettix
Poecilotettix is a genus of spur-throated grasshoppers in the family Acrididae, tribe Dactylotini. The genus contains two described species: Poecilotettix pantherinus (panther-spotted grasshopper) and Poecilotettix sanguineus (red-lined grasshopper). Members of this genus are distributed in the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Poecilotettix pantherinus
Panther-spotted Grasshopper
Poecilotettix pantherinus, the panther-spotted grasshopper, is a spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is distributed across the southwestern United States and Mexico. The species was formerly classified as a subspecies of Xanthippus corallipes but has been elevated to full species status. It is notable for its distinctive spotted hind femora and has been used in forensic entomology cases to establish geographic origin.