Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
formerly subspecies Schistocerca alutacea shoshone, elevated to species rank by Hojun Song in 2004 [see Internet References section below]
Identification
abdominal tergites lack black markings; male fore femur and middle femur inflated
Range
western United States, west of a diagonal line from Texas to Idaho and Oregon (
see map)
Habitat
streamside (riparian) and desert habitats; also frequently found in cornfields or other tall growing vegetation
Season
adults occur in June and July
Food
prefers various woody plants; adults stay on an individual host plant for most of the day, remaining motionless when not feeding
Life Cycle
one generation per year; eggs hatch over an extended period in spring and early summer; late instar nymphs and adults are seen by June, and these gradually die through the late summer
Internet References
live adult image and common name reference [Green Valley Grasshopper] (G. and C. Merker, Visuals Unlimited)
pinned adult image (Northern Arizona U.)
photo and illustration of characteristics (schistocerca.org)
distribution map (schistocerca.org)
revision of the Alutacea Group of Genus Schistocerca; PDF doc - elevating
S. alutacea shosone and other former subspecies to species rank (Hojun Song. 2004. Ohio State University)
similarities among related species in the Alutacea group (schistocerca.org)
common name reference [Green Bird Grasshopper] (Comparative Toxicogenomics Database)
