Grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae) are common insects in Floridas natural areas. They are among the most abundant herbivores in grassland ecosystems and are an important source of food for wildlife, especially birds. There are about 70 species of grasshoppers in Florida. Some species are quite rare and endangered, or unique to Florida. The purpose of this article is to introduce researchers, extension agents, and interested lay people to the more common species found in Florida.
Grasshopper species tend to have similar life histories. Eggs, clumped together in pods, are deposited in soil. Typically there are five or six immature (nymphal) forms (instars) between the egg and adult stages. Normally there is only one complete life cycle per year, but several species have more than one generation.
Feeding habits vary greatly. Some species feed only on grasses, some only on broadleaf plants, while others feed on a large number of different plants. One species of grasshopper found in Florida, Schistocerca ceratiola Hubbell & Walker, is quite unusual in that if feeds only one species of plant, a shrub known as Florida rosemary. Many species will consume dried plant material as well as green, and even exhibit cannibalism. Often grasshoppers will disperse when favored food plants are depleted, moving into nearby crops or ornamental plants.
Pictured below are some of the more common species. For a complete overview of Floridas grasshoppers see Capinera et al. (2001), which can be purchased in hard copy or downloaded for free (https://entnemdept.ifas.ufl.edu/ghopper/ghopper.html).
Grasshoppers are a fascinating group of insects found all over the world. With over 11,000 known species, grasshoppers come in a stunning array of shapes, sizes, and colors. In this article, we’ll take a close look at the most common types of grasshoppers found in North America.
What Exactly Are Grasshoppers?
Grasshoppers belong to the insect order Orthoptera and the suborder Caelifera They are closely related to crickets and katydids Grasshoppers have characteristic large hind legs adapted for jumping and wings that allow some species to fly.
Grasshoppers go through incomplete metamorphosis in their life cycle. The young nymphs (called hoppers) hatch from eggs and molt several times before becoming adults. Unlike butterflies the larvae don’t have a pupal stage.
Identifying Grasshoppers
Although diverse, grasshoppers share some common features that aid identification:
- Cylindrical bodies divided into head, thorax, and abdomen
- Chewing mouthparts
- Short antennae
- Large compound eyes
- Powerful hindlegs for jumping
- Two pairs of wings (tegmina and hindwings)
Males and females often look different with females being larger in most species. Coloration can help camouflage grasshoppers or serve as a warning to potential predators.
Common Types of Grasshoppers
Here are some of the most widespread grasshoppers found across North America:
Differential Grasshopper
The differential grasshopper (Melanoplus differentialis) is probably the most destructive grasshopper species in North America. It is a major pest of cereal crops and vegetables.
This species is brown or greenish in color. Females reach 2 inches in length, while males only grow up to 1.5 inches. The differential grasshopper is found throughout the western United States but also ranges eastward to the Atlantic coast.
Red-Legged Grasshopper
As its name suggests, the red-legged grasshopper (Melanoplus femurrubrum) has characteristic reddish-colored hindlegs. The body color is highly variable, ranging from green to brown or gray. Specimens may have spots, stripes, or blotches.
Red-legged grasshoppers inhabit meadows, grasslands, pastures, and disturbed areas. They are agricultural pests, especially of forage crops like alfalfa. This common species occurs throughout North America.
Migratory Grasshopper
The migratory grasshopper (Melanoplus sanguinipes) lives up to its name by forming enormous swarms that migrate long distances. Outbreaks can contain several billion individuals! It is among the most significant rangeland pests in western North America.
This species is brown or olive-gray with dark markings on the back. Large hind tibiae help separate it from similar grasshopper species.
Packard’s Grasshopper
Packard’s grasshopper (Melanoplus packardii) is a common species in the western United States. It has beige or tan forewings with small fuscous spots andhind wings that vary from red to yellow to blackish.
The pronotum is grayish with a yellow median stripe. This grasshopper inhabits sagebrush, mountain brush, and pine-juniper woodlands.
Big-Headed Grasshopper
As you may have guessed, the big-headed grasshopper (Aulocara elliotti) has an enlarged head in proportion to its body. The head may be tilted upward at an angle. Coloration consists of brownish or gray mottling.
Big-headed grasshoppers are flightless and mainly walk or jump to get around. They inhabit shortgrass prairies and can be agricultural pests. This species ranges throughout the Great Plains and western North America.
Desert Locust
The desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria) is the notorious insect responsible for massive locust plagues that can devastate crops. Under normal conditions, this species lives solitarily like a typical grasshopper.
Desert locusts occur in Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. They vary from greenish to brownish with dark wing patterns. Swarming adults can fly long distances across multiple countries.
Pygmy Grasshoppers
As their name indicates, pygmy grasshoppers belong to the family Tetrigidae and are very small in size, less than 3/4 inch long. They have a pronotum (plate behind the head) that extends back over the abdomen. Coloration varies from brown to gray or green.
Dozens of pygmy grasshopper species inhabit moist habitats like marshes, stream banks, and areas along lakes and ponds. They are clumsy fliers and usually walk or hop to get around.
Band-Winged Grasshoppers
This group gets its common name from the banded or spotted patterns on the hindwings. The subfamily Oedipodinae contains over 100 species in North America alone. Colors include brown, gray, green, yellow, or combinations of these.
Band-winged grasshoppers are powerful fliers and adept jumpers. They live in open habitats like grasslands, meadows, and disturbed areas. Many species produce loud crackling or clicking sounds during flight.
Fascinating Creatures
From tiny pygmy grasshoppers to massive locust swarms, grasshoppers certainly showcase the incredible diversity found in the insect world. These ubiquitous jumpers play key ecological roles as herbivores and prey. Learning to identify common grasshopper species helps appreciate their beauty and importance.
Southern Redlegged Grasshopper, Melanoplus propinquus (Scudder)
This is probably the most common grasshopper in disturbed and weedy areas. It sometimes damages crops and home gardens. At least two generations occur annually.
Obscure Grasshopper, Schistocerca obscura (Fabricius)
This species belongs to a group of especially strong fliers called “bird” grasshoppers. Its taste for certain valuable ornamental plants such as hibiscus often brings it into conflict with humans.
Everything You Didn’t Know About Grasshoppers
FAQ
What is the most common type of grasshopper?
Common and widespread, the Common field grasshopper is ubiquitous in any open, sunny, grassy area, including our gardens. Adults are present from June until late autumn, feeding on plants and grasses.
What is the 7 classification of grasshopper?
Grasshopper belongs to the kingdom – Animalia, Phylum – Arthropoda, Class – Insecta, Order – Orthoptera, Suborder – Caelifera, Infraorder – Acrididae.
What is the rarest grasshopper?
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Pink Grasshoppers and Erythrism:Pink grasshoppers are not a distinct species but rather individuals of various grasshopper species that exhibit a rare genetic mutation called erythrism. Erythrism causes an overproduction of red pigment, resulting in a pink or reddish coloration.
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Rarity:While experts say there is a 1% chance of seeing a pink grasshopper, it’s important to note that this is a general estimate, and the rarity can vary depending on the location and the specific grasshopper species.
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Survival:The bright pink coloration of these grasshoppers makes them more visible to predators, potentially reducing their chances of survival.
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Recent Sightings:There have been several recent reports of pink grasshoppers being spotted, including in Arkansas, Texas, Kansas, Pennsylvania, and the United Kingdom.
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Other Rare Species:While pink grasshoppers are a notable example of a rare trait, other grasshopper species may also be considered rare due to their limited distribution or conservation status.
What are brown grasshoppers called?
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Rufous Grasshopper (Gomphocerippus rufus):This is a medium-sized, brown grasshopper with clubbed antennae that are tipped with white.
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Ponderous Spur-Throat Grasshopper (Melanoplus ponderosus):These are large, primarily brown spur-throated grasshoppers with a herringbone pattern on their hind femurs.
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Common Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus):This is a widespread species found in grassy areas, with a mottled brown color and barring on its sides.
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Brown-Spotted Range Grasshopper (Psoloessa delicatula):This is a smaller grasshopper with gray, gray-brown, or green coloring and dark spots.
How many types of grasshoppers are there?
There are about 660 grasshopper species in the United States and about 11,000 species around the world. This introductory guide provides information on some of the types of grasshoppers, crickets and katydids that easily catch the camera’s eye. When it comes to grasshopper identification, most people think short antenna and brown or green body.
What kind of insects are grasshoppers?
Grasshoppers, a diverse group of insects belonging to the order Orthoptera, encompass a wide array of types and species that inhabit various regions across the globe. They range from the mesmerizing band-winged grasshoppers, which produce crackling sounds during flight, to the striking cone-headed grasshoppers with distinct cone-shaped bodies.
Which grasshopper species are found in North America?
The Differential Grasshopper (Melanoplus differentialis) is another common grasshopper species found in North America, particularly in the central and eastern parts of the continent. This species displays significant variations in coloration, making it easily distinguishable from other grasshoppers.
What makes grasshoppers unique?
Grasshoppers, famous for their elongated, green bodies and powerful hind legs, exhibit astounding diversity throughout their thousands of species. In this article, we’ll explore the various types of grasshoppers, each with its own unique characteristics and habitats.
What color is a grasshopper?
This type of grasshopper (Trimerotropis pallidipennis) uses its coloring to camouflage itself on dirt roads and rocks. It has a tan, light brown, and gray color combination which makes it difficult to spot on such surfaces. The species can be detrimental if its populations are high.
What type of grasshopper is a brown grasshopper?
This type of grasshopper (Schistocerca americana) begins life as a green species through its early instars. It later becomes a brown grasshopper. Various shades of brown are specific to the species. You may find the American Bird Grasshopper is one of the most present species in gardens.