Grasshopper - Melanoplus differentialis

mmm

I keep coming back to look at this one, because it is very unusual looking. Basically it looks like M. differentialis, and would probably key out to that species in most literature. There are a few things that bother me. The dark bar behind the eye is unusual strong. The dark markings on the hind femur usually reach further toward the lower margin. The lower margin of the hind femur is orange or red and apparently the hind tibiae are orange or red too. In some ways it reminds me a bit of species that shouldn't be in Pennsylvania such as M. clypeatus and M. yarrowii, but it isn't those. What it really looks like is other specimens I've seen that I suspect are hybrids of M. differentialis and M. bivittatus. This is pure supposition, but it seems worth noting that this is an unusual individual. I would call it an abberant M. differentialis, or perhaps a hybrid.

… David J. Ferguson, 3 January, 2008 - 12:50am

grasshoppers

David, thanks for taking such a long, hard look at this grasshopper. I wonder if I post some unknown UT grasshoppers that I took if you and others might be able to help me figure out what they are. They are very well camouflaged. Thanks. Ann

… Ann C. Pettigrew, 3 January, 2008 - 7:40am

It's certainly worth a shot to post the UT photos, and it's quite likely you've got things that aren't already on BugGuide. So, I'd say go for it.

… David J. Ferguson, 3 January, 2008 - 10:03pm

I don't think so....

Grasshoppers can be hard! My guess is something else in Genus Melanoplus.

… Lynette Schimming, 27 October, 2005 - 4:57pm

Are you thinking that it migh

Are you thinking that it might be a differential?

… Ann C. Pettigrew, 27 October, 2005 - 8:23pm

Yes,

that was my first thought, but I'm not positive on that either. Maybe someone else will add their opinion.

… Lynette Schimming, 28 October, 2005 - 6:20am

Thanks, Lynette. I'll wait t

Thanks, Lynette. I'll wait to see if anyone else comments.

… Ann C. Pettigrew, 28 October, 2005 - 11:50am

Melanoplus sp. male.

Great images! Definitely a specis of Melanoplus. M. differentialis tends to be very large for the genus (males about two inches, females about three), and pretty sluggish. The only absolute way to tell the species is by the shape of the male subgenital plate, and cerci, one of which is clearly visible at the end of the abdomen in your images (it's the boot-shaped segment). So, if you find an image of a male cercus for M. differentialis, you will have confirmation:-)

… Eric R. Eaton, 28 October, 2005 - 3:28pm

Thanks for your help, Eric.

Thanks for your help, Eric. I appreciate it.

… Ann C. Pettigrew, 28 October, 2005 - 9:56pm