Occidental grasshopper (Melanoplus occidentalis)

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Occidental grasshopper (Melanoplus occidentalis)
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

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
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	Male: 19.2-21 mm Female: 22-24 mm

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