Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Oedipoda (Hippiscus) ocelote Saussure, 1861, from Cordova, Mexico
Hippiscus ocelote (Saussure) Thomas, 1873
Oedipoda rugosa Scudder, 1862, from Massachusetts
Hippiscus rugosus (Scudder) Scudder, 1874
Hippiscus compactus Scudder, 1892, from Carolina and Maryland
Hippiscus suturalis Scudder, 1892, from Moline, Rock Island County, Illinois
Hippiscus variegatus Scudder, 1892, from Pennsylvania and Georgia
Hippiscus citrinus Scudder, 1901, from Alabama
Hippiscus immaculatus Morse, 1906, from Clarendon, Texas
Size
males: 28-40 mm, females: 39-53 mm
Identification
Heavy bodied, with large rounded head, nearly smooth on top between eyes. Pronotum rough on top, often with low irregular raised parallel ridges toward the rear; with median ridge cut once at middle. Usually gray and brown with a ligher "X" mark on dorsum of pronotum; with pale lines along upper edges of folded tegmina; and with tegmina panther-spotted. Hind wings yellow, orange, red, or pink with a dark curved band running around outer edge and with a dark spur from this band near the front margin of the wing. Tip of wing usually clear, sometimes with some dark coloring mostly along the veins.
Most like Pardalophora, which species all have the median ridge of the pronotum cut well forward of the middle, and have smaller heads usually more strongly sculptured on top between eyes. These are usually found as adults in spring, and overwinter as nymphs. The hind tibiae may be bright orange or red in some species.
Xanthippus is like Pardalophora, but also has the median ridge of the pronotum cut twice (but cuts are both well in front of middle). Where they occur with Hippiscus, species of Xanthippus usually have the hind tibiae and inner side of the hind femur bright orange to red.
Camnula is similar, but proportioned more like Pardalophora, much smaller, and has clear little pigmented wings.
Range
Eastern and Central United States, into southwest.
Habitat
Grasslands, pastures, meadows; areas that would be considered relatively dry with short grass in the east but would be considered moist and lush in the west.
Food
Grasses, and probably some herbaceous dicots as well. Will scavenge dead animal material as well, and may be somewhat cannibalistic under some circumstances.
Life Cycle
Overwinters as eggs. Adults mostly July or August into October or November in much of range, sometimes through winter in south. August-frost (North Carolina).
Remarks
A large late season species with brightly colored wings. Males are usually active, alert, and difficult to approach or catch. Females are usually powerful fliers as well, but often will rely on camouflage, taking to the air often only as a last resort. Once they do fly, they can be difficult to catch up with and approach too. This species does not crepitate in flight, but it is large and produces a rustling sound as it flies simply due to air movement. A large female flying up unexpectedly can be quite startling.
See Also
Red-shanked Grasshopper, Xanthippus corallipes
Print References
Capinera,
Field Guide to Grasshoppers..., pp. 92-93, plate 15
(1)
Capinera,
Grasshoppers of Florida, pp. 66-67, plates 44-45
(2)
Helfer, pp. 118-119, fig. 196
(3)
