Occidental grasshopper (Melanoplus occidentalis)
Occidental grasshopper (Melanoplus occidentalis) | |
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Occidental grasshopper | |
Distribution | |
British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Minnesota, Iowa | |
Taxonomy | |
Family: | Acrididae |
Subfamily: | Melanoplinae |
Genus: | Melanoplus |
Additional resources | |
Full taxonomy at OSF |
Overview
The Flabellate grasshopper (Melanoplus occidentalis) can be most commonly found in the western United States and some parts of Canada, competing with livestock in prairies and grasslands for vegetation. Species migrations have not been recorded, although 'accidental' individuals can appear in the oddest places like the Rocky Mountains or glaciers in Montana.
Nomenclature
Melanoplus occidentalis (Thomas, 1872). For full nomenclature, see this taxon's page on Orthoptera Species File
Resources
Distribution
Densities are greatest in mixed grass prairies throughout the western US and Canadian provinces. For more information on this species distribution and its densities in the state of Wyoming see [Grasshoppers of the West]
Identification
Has a posternal tubercle (a small knob-like protrusion) between front legs. Tegmina (thick front wing of an orthopteran) marked with large irregular spots. Pronotum (saddle-shaped structure behind the head) is not crested, is more condensed and prominent saddle shape in gregarious phase.
Phase | Stage | Color | Body length |
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Gregarious | nymph (1st - 2nd instar) | black | 3.8-4.9 mm |
Gregarious | nymph (3rd to 4th instar) | yellow with black | 6.1-8.6 mm |
Solitarious | nymph | green | 15-16.5 mm |
Gregarious | immature adult | pink | |
Gregarious | mature adult | yellow | |
Solitarious | adult | sandy, grey or brown, common light colored median stripe on the pronotum [1] | Male: 19.2-21 mm
Female: 22-24 mm |
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Identification resources
Biology
Habitat and Ecology
Land-Use Change
References
- ↑ COPR (1982) The Locust and Grasshopper Agricultural Manual. London: Overseas Pest Research. 335-339.