Entomology Grasshopers

Study Guide: Grasshoppers of Nebraska

Introduction

  • As of 2008, there are 108 species of short-horned grasshoppers (Acrididae and Romaleidae) known in Nebraska. While many species can be damaging to crops and rangeland, some are beneficial by consuming weedy plants 1.

Grasshopper Anatomy

  • Basic structures include:

    • Tegmen (forewing)

    • Hind femur

    • Hind tibia

    • Abdomen

    • Thorax

    • Head 2.

Ecological Zones

  • Nebraska's diverse ecological zones contribute to the variety of grasshopper species, influenced by annual precipitation and habitat types such as deciduous forests and prairies 3.

Species Accounts

  • Green Fool Grasshopper (Acrolophitus hirtipes)

    • Appearance: Green with distinct arch on dorsal pronotum.

    • Habitat: Dry grasslands.

    • Diet: Plants in the Borage family.

    • Economic Importance: None 4.

  • Russianthistle Grasshopper (Aeoloplides turnbulli)

    • Appearance: Greenish with orange antennae.

    • Habitat: Dry grasslands and roadsides.

    • Diet: Exclusively plants in the Chenopodiaceae family.

    • Economic Importance: Potentially beneficial 5.

  • Club-horned Grasshopper (Aeropedellus clavatus)

    • Appearance: Light brown to gray-brown.

    • Habitat: Low swales and dry grasslands.

    • Diet: Variety of grasses and sedges.

    • Economic Importance: Unlikely to be a pest 6.

  • Whitewhiskers Grasshopper (Ageneotettix deorum)

    • Appearance: Brown with whitish antennae.

    • Habitat: Grasslands with bare patches.

    • Economic Importance: Major rangeland pest in Nebraska 7.

  • Striped Grasshopper (Amphitornus coloradus)

    • Appearance: Boldly striped with light and dark brown.

    • Habitat: Shortgrass and mixed-grass habitats.

    • Economic Importance: Can occur at moderate densities 8.

  • Speckle-winged Grasshopper (Arphia conspersa)

    • Appearance: Dark to light brown or gray-brown.

    • Habitat: Grasslands with bare soil.

    • Economic Importance: None 8.

  • Differential Grasshopper (Melanoplus differentialis)

    • Appearance: Yellow with blackish chevrons.

    • Habitat: Weedy areas.

    • Economic Importance: Known to cause serious damage to crops 9.

Maps and Distribution

  • Distribution maps indicate where each species has been recorded, with shading to denote the recency of records 10.

Glossary and References

  • A glossary is provided for terminology used throughout the guide, along with references for further reading 11.

This study guide consolidates key information about the grasshopper species found in Nebraska, their habitats, diets, and economic importance, providing a comprehensive overview for study and reference.

Grasshopper Study Guide

1. Red-legged Grasshopper

  • Scientific Name: Melanoplus femurrubrum

  • Appearance: Grayish brown with green and black, yellow ventrally, red hind tibia.

  • Body Length: Male: 17-24 mm, Female: 21-29 mm.

  • Habitat: Varied habitats including rangeland, field edges, and gardens.

  • Seasonality: Nymphs in spring, adults from late July to October.

  • Diet: Feeds on forbs and some grasses; damages crops like alfalfa and soybeans.

  • Economic Importance: Can be a serious pest of crops.

  • Notes: Commonly seen by the average person 12.

2. Yellowish Spur-throat Grasshopper

  • Scientific Name: Melanoplus flavidus

  • Appearance: Yellowish with poorly developed postocular bar, blue hind tibia.

  • Body Length: Male: 20-27 mm, Female: 24-33 mm.

  • Habitat: Sandy grasslands.

  • Diet: Feeds mostly on forbs.

  • Notes: Similar to Melanoplus bowditchi but differentiated by habitat 13.

3. Sandbar Spur-throat Grasshopper

  • Scientific Name: Melanoplus fluviatilis

  • Appearance: Gray-brown to woody brown, male cercus spatula-shaped.

  • Body Length: Male: 23-31 mm, Female: 27-34 mm.

  • Habitat: Open riverine woodlands.

  • Diet: Likely prefers forbs.

  • Notes: Taxonomy is poorly understood; may be similar to M. packardii 14.

4. Striped Sand Grasshopper

  • Scientific Name: Melanoplus foedus

  • Appearance: Orange-brown to light brown with two distinct pallid stripes.

  • Body Length: Male: 25-33 mm, Female: 27-34 mm.

  • Habitat: Sandy grasslands.

  • Diet: Feeds on a variety of forbs and grasses.

  • Notes: Part of the Melanoplus packardii group 15.

5. Graceful Spur-throat Grasshopper

  • Scientific Name: Melanoplus gracilis

  • Appearance: Brown and green with well-developed postocular bars.

  • Body Length: Male: 14-18 mm, Female: 17-23 mm.

  • Habitat: Likely woodland openings.

  • Notes: Should be looked for in the eastern parts of Nebraska 16.

6. Migratory Grasshopper

  • Scientific Name: Melanoplus sanguinipes

  • Appearance: Light brown with poorly developed markings.

  • Body Length: Male: 18-26 mm, Female: 20-29 mm.

  • Habitat: Varied habitats including grasslands and woodland openings.

  • Diet: Feeds on a wide variety of forbs and grasses.

  • Economic Importance: Can be a serious pest of crops 17.

7. American Bird Grasshopper

  • Scientific Name: Schistocerca americana

  • Appearance: Light brown with darker spots.

  • Body Length: Male: 28-40 mm, Female: 36-54 mm.

  • Habitat: Broad range of habitats.

  • Diet: Feeds on a wide variety of plants including grasses and forbs.

  • Economic Importance: Known to damage crops in the southern U.S. 18.

8. Salt Creek Grasshopper

  • Scientific Name: Trimerotropis salina

  • Appearance: Light brown to gray-brown with moderately developed bands.

  • Body Length: Male: 19-26 mm, Female: 27-33 mm.

  • Habitat: Salt flats, especially along edges.

  • Diet: Likely feeds on saltgrass.

  • Notes: Populations in Lincoln appear to be distinct .

9. Great Basin Grasshopper

  • Scientific Name: Trimerotropis sparsa

  • Appearance: Pale gray to gray-brown with a mottled appearance.

  • Body Length: Male: 19-27 mm, Female: 26-33 mm.

  • Habitat: Adobe flats and badlands.

  • Notes: Difficult to identify; often best differentiated by habitat 19.

This guide summarizes key characteristics, habitats, diets, and economic importance of various grasshopper species found in Nebraska, providing a comprehensive overview for study.

Study Guide: The Grasshoppers of Nebraska

Overview of Grasshopper Species

  • The book provides detailed descriptions and illustrations of various grasshopper species found in Nebraska, including their genitalia views and distinguishing features.

Key Plates and Species

  • Plate 21: Male genitalia, lateral view of species such as Melanoplus keeleri and Melanoplus occidentalis.

  • Plate 22: Male genitalia, dorsal view showcasing Melanoplus packardii and Melanoplus sanguinipes.

  • Plate 23: Male genitalia, posterior view featuring Melanoplus scudderi and Melanoplus spretus.

  • Plate 24: Male genitalia, lateral view with species like Melanoplus walshii.

  • Plate 25: Dorsal pronotum of Metator pardalinus and Opeia obscura .

Maps and Distribution

  • County Map of Nebraska: Displays the distribution of grasshopper species across various counties.

  • Species Distribution Maps: Detailed maps for species like Acrolophitus hirtipes and Ageneotettix deorum.

Ecoregions and Grasshopper Density

  • Level 3 Ecoregions: Describes the density of grasshoppers in different ecoregions of Nebraska, indicating areas with low to high populations.

Glossary of Terms

  • Anterior: Referring to the front portion or toward the front.

  • Dorsal: Referring to the top portion or toward the top.

  • Pronotum: The dorsal part of the thorax made up of the first thoracic segment.