Melanoplus sp - Melanoplus yarrowii

Moved

… Eric R. Eaton, 26 February, 2008 - 4:53pm

Melanoplus yarrowii

I can see the cerci, at least most of one. The cerci are similar in shape on M. bivittatus, M. differentialis, M. yarrowii and several other species, but on this one the end tends to widen out almost as much below as above. Sort of looks like the outline of an old baker's cap. This shot gives a good view of typical M. yarrowii color pattern. The ones you've been photographing are brighter green than they are in most places (but they looked like this in sw. Colorado too - where I first learned the species).

… David J. Ferguson, 26 February, 2008 - 4:45pm

Thanks David J Ferguson

I didn't think I had enough exposure of the cerci area. Thanks again.

… Robert L. Pearson, 27 February, 2008 - 12:12pm

It's a bit fuzzy, but it's there.

On most species the cerci are small, and they wouldn't be clear enough to make out the shape at this angle, but this species has a big thing that is easy to see. Most would have been more difficult. I'm glad you posted this one, because it ties all those others from your area together nicely now. Your welcome. Actually this is quite a lot of fun! Oh, and for the benefit of anybody who may have noticed, in that first comment I didn't mean to say that the cerci of M. yarrowii is similar the cerci of M. yarrowi (though it is :). I actually had intended that member of the list to be M. ponderosus.

… David J. Ferguson, 27 February, 2008 - 12:27pm