Genus Boopedon - Boopies

Boopedon Thomas, 1870. Genotype: Gryllus nubilus Say

Morseiella Hebard, 1925. Genotype: Boopedon flaviventris Bruner

The vernacular name "Boopie" is commonly used for this genus (and has been for many decades) by people who study or survey these Grasshoppers in the field, but it seems to appear in no published literature.

Relatively large (males much smaller than females); very stocky (especially females) with smooth large rounded heads; wings usually not reaching end of abdomen, and only rarely beyond tip of hind femora. Most similar to other genera in the Aulocara Group, but larger than all other species in that group, and differing obviously from all in details of coloration and pattern. Most (but not all) of those related species have longer wings. Some similar genera have blue hind tibiae, while Boopedon species do not (though they may be as close as purple in some individuals of B. nubilum.

North America, mostly in grassland regions west of the Mississippi River, east of the deserts, south of Canada, and north of the tropics.

Grasslands, depending on species these may vary from semi-desert to open woodlands.

All overwinter as eggs with adults late spring or summer into autumn.

Primarily grasses