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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids (Orthoptera) » Grasshoppers (Caelifera) » Short-horned Grasshoppers (Acrididae) » Spur-throated Grasshoppers (Melanoplinae) » Melanoplini » Melanoplus » Differential Grasshopper (Melanoplus differentialis)
Photo#212541
Differential Grasshopper - Melanoplus differentialis - female
Copyright © 2008 Ted Kropiewnicki

Differential Grasshopper - Melanoplus differentialis - Female
Bear, New Castle County, Delaware, USA
August 2, 2008
Size: ~ 28 mm
On a leaf of Gladioli. Is this a female 5th instar nymph?
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Contributed by Ted Kropiewnicki on 11 August, 2008 - 9:41am
Last updated 25 November, 2009 - 12:52am

Melanoplus differentialis
I'd say you have yourself a Differential Grasshopper (Melanoplus differentialis). This is a nymph. It appears to be in its last instar before molting to adulthood. Beautiful, rich, green color. The herringbone pattern on the hind femur is diagnostic for this species. That pattern is visible even in many hoppers of the second or third instar (I'm not sure about 1st instar, as they are very small, and I have never noticed).
… Chad Lensbower, 11 August, 2008 - 6:25pm login or register to post comments

 
Thank you!
Thanks for the ID and all the additional information.
… Ted Kropiewnicki, 12 August, 2008 - 9:23pm login or register to post comments

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