Red-legged grasshopper (Melanoplus femurrubrum)

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Red-legged grasshopper (Melanoplus femurrubrum)
Red-legged grasshopper
Distribution
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia (U.S. state), Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Northwest Territories
Taxonomy
Family:Acrididae
Subfamily:Melanoplinae
Genus:Melanoplus
Additional resources
Full taxonomy at OSF

Overview

The red-legged grasshopper (Melanoplus femurrubrum) is a grasshopper which ranges across North America. Individuals of the species can be clearly identified by bright red coloration on the tibia. This species may eat a wide variety of plants, but tends to favor legumes, composites, and grasses.[1] These insects are not known to swarm, but may occur in very high densities on occasion and cause severe damage to wheat or legume fields.[2]

Nomenclature

Melanoplus femurrubrum (De Geer, 1773). For full nomenclature, see this taxon's page on Orthoptera Species File


Name Year published Resource link Descriptive keyword Language Geographic purview Author Year published
Grasshopper Integrated Pest Management User Handbook 2000 View URL Biological control, Chemical control, Monitoring, Modeling, Population dynamics, Rangeland management, Decision making English United States of America Agricultural Research Services, United States Department of Agriculture 2000
Sustainable use and conservation of microbial and invertebrate biological control agents and microbial biostimulants 2023 View URL Management, Biological control, Biopesticide English Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, Oceania Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International 2023



Distribution

Distribution of M. femurrubrum is overwhelmingly focused on North America. [2] The grasshopper’s native range covers the majority of the continent, with the exception of certain mountain ranges and the far north due to low tolerance of colder temperatures. [1]

For more information and distribution records see [GBIF]

Identification

Red-legged grasshopper nymphs are clearly identifiable by distinct, striking yellow-and-black striped markings on the sides of the body. Adults of the species are medium sized and brown, with a bright yellow underside and bright or dark red patch on the hind tibia. Rarely, adults may exhibit a blue or green coloration instead of the characteristic brown and yellow with red legs. [1]

Name Year published Resource link Descriptive keyword Language Geographic purview Author Year published
Field Guide to Common Western Grasshoppers 2002 View URL Species identification English United States of America United States Department of Agriculture 2002
Grasshopper Identification and Control Methods to Protect Crops and the Environment 2010 View URL Management, Species identification English Canada Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada 2010
Grasshoppers of the Western United States View URL Management, Species identification English United States of America United States Department of Agriculture
Montana.gov grasshopper field guides View URL Species identification, Management, Biology English United States of America
Orthoptera Species File View URL Species identification, Biology English Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, Oceania Orthoptera Species File Online
Pest Grasshoppers of the West 2005 View URL Management, Species identification English United States of America 2005
Rangeland Grasshopper Management View URL Management, Species identification English United States of America University of Wyoming
The Grasshoppers of the Western U.S. Lucid mobile app 2016 View URL Management, Species identification English United States of America 2016
USDA ARS grasshopper species fact sheets View URL Management, Species identification English United States of America Agricultural Research Services, United States Department of Agriculture



Biology

Habitat and Ecology

This species can be found in a wide range of habitats across North America. Populations prefer low altitude locations, with younger or more tender vegetation. They enjoy shady portions of woodland, roadsides, and pastures and meadows which contain preferred diet plants.[2] Red-legged grasshoppers may eat a variety of plant matter depending on habitat, but are known to consume legumes, composites, and grasses.[1] Some have also been found to feed on pine needles and moss. Individuals may occasionally feed in the early part of the night, but feeding primarily occurs during daylight.[2]

Pest Status

This species is not known to swarm, but populations may occur in very high densities which superficially resemble swarms. Large groups may cause severe damage to wheat fields, and are also known to be destructive to clover and lucerne. Red-legged grasshoppers may also attack barley, cotton, maize, oats, soybean, sugar beet, timothy grass, and tobacco. [2]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin "Redlegged Grasshopper" 912: 1-4. https://www.ars.usda.gov/ARSUserFiles/30320505/grasshopper/Extras/PDFs/Species%20Fact%20Sheets/Redleg.pdf
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 COPR (1982) The Locust and Grasshopper Agricultural Manual. London: Overseas Pest Research. 169.