Other Common Names
American Grasshopper, American Locust
Identification
Large, usually has creamy strip extending from head to forewings. Characteristically flies up and into trees when disturbed, behavior quite different from most other grasshoppers.
Range
Eastern, central North America, south into Mexico and into South America. Somewhat migratory, may be immigrant only in northern part of range, not breeding.
Season
Typically April-June and August-September. Adults overwinter, so sometimes seen late into fall and on warm winter days. July-November (Michigan).
Food
Herbivore, feeds on a variety of grasses, forbs (non-grass herbs), and foliage of woody plants. It can be a pest of crops.
Life Cycle
Unusual two generations per year: spring and early summer, plus late summer. Broods may overlap, however. (Some sources say there is a single, long-lived brood, with some overlap of generations in late summer.) Under favorable conditions, becomes gregarious, disperses in swarms.
Print References
Capinera et al.,
Grasshoppers of Florida, pp. 121-122, plates 96-97
(1)
Capinera et al.,
Field Guide to Grasshoppers..., pp. 144-145, plate 31
(2)
Helfer, p. 186, fig. 301
(3)
Milne, p. 425, fig. 263
(5)
Internet References
Univ. Florida--another version of above document?
Contributed by
Cotinis on 2 October, 2004 - 11:20pm
Additional contributions by
Chuck EntzLast updated 28 August, 2006 - 10:48pm
