Genus Melanoplus

Classification · Explanation of Names · Numbers · Identification · Print References · Internet References · Works Cited

mystery grasshopper - Melanoplus viridipes

Two-Striped Grasshopper (Melanoplus bivittatus) - Melanoplus bivittatus - female

Arid Lands Spur-throat Grasshopper - Melanoplus aridus - female

Devastating Grasshopper - Melanoplus devastator - female

Differential Grasshopper - Melanoplus differentialis - female

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)

Suborder Caelifera (Grasshoppers)

Family Acrididae (Short-horned Grasshoppers)

Subfamily Melanoplinae (Spur-throated Grasshoppers)

Genus Melanoplus

Explanation of Names

Author of genus is Stål, 1873. From Greek melano dark, plus suffix -plus, meaning "clad in dark armor" (1) (Pests, Plagues and Politics--Michael Burgett, Oregon State University).

Numbers

Arnett (2) mentions 239 North American species.

Identification

CAUTION: Please note that many of the species identifications are qualified. Positive identifications for many species can only be achieved by examining the male genitalia on an actual specimen. Images alone are usually not enough to reach a conclusion.

Print References

Lockwood, p. 29 (1)

Arnett, pp. 169-177 (2)

Internet References

OSF listing

Works Cited

1.	Locust: The Devastating Rise And Mysterious Disappearance Of The Insect That Shaped The American Frontier By Jeffrey A. Lockwood

2.	American Insects: A Handbook of the Insects of America North of Mexico By Ross H. Arnett

Contributed by Mike Boone on 29 July, 2004 - 9:34pm
Additional contributions by cotinis, Bug Eric
Last updated 4 January, 2009 - 3:42pm

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