Species Melanoplus clypeatus - Shield-tailed Grasshopper

Symmetrical Grasshopper (for M. symmetricus)

Fork-tailed Grasshopper (for M. furcatus)

Swift Grasshopper (for M. pegasus)

Caloptenus clypeatus Scudder, 1877. Described from Georgia

Melanoplus clypeatus (Scudder) Scudder, 1880. Described from Georgia

Melanoplus furcatus Scudder, 1897. Described from Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida

Melanoplus symmetricus Morse, 1904. Described from Carabelle, Franklin County, Florida

Melanoplus pegasus Hebard, 1919. Described from Billy's Island, Okeefenokee Swamp, Charlton County, Georgia

Melanoplus clypeatus symmetricus (Morse) Blatchley, 1920

The synonomy listed above is tentative. The names have each been treated as distinct species in past, and more field study is needed to learn the extend of variation and the degree of isolation that actually exists in populations of these instects.

The name M. clypeatus is often restricted to Georgia. The name M. furcatus is applied to north Florida material with the cercus prominently notched apically. The name M. symmetricus is applied to those from the Florida Panhandle (and perhaps occuring a bit into sw. Georgia and s. Alabama).

Those named M. pegasus seems not readily distinguishable from those named M. furcatus, but with the cercus more deeply notched, and the coloration more even.

These names may represent isolated populations that are distinct enough to be considered as distinct species; or, they may represent geographic variation within only a single species.

Very similar to Melanoplus yarrowii, except eastern, occuring across southern Georgia and northern Florida. Could perhaps be confused with M. punctulatus in structure, but much plainer in coloration. Somewhat similar to M. nigrescens & querneus, but cerci more expanded, wings longer, and less contrastingly patterned (notably sides usually lighter, and hind femur plainer). M. differentialis is larger with black herringbone pattern on hind femur, and hind tibiae usually not reddish.

If not subdivided, across southern Georgia and much of northern Florida.

Apparently favors swampy environments.