Species Melanoplus dodgei-species-group - Dodge's Short-wing Grasshopper, and others

The following are currently listed as 19 species at Orthoptera Species File Online. The listing together on BugGuide of these names is not meant to imply that these names all belong to one species, though following a biological definition of species it is possible that they do. However, this would need more study to determine one way or another, and is beyond the scope and purpose of BugGuide. They are listed here under one heading so as not to overly complicate trying to identify members of this group. Members of this group occur in many places in between the known distributions of the named entities, where they have not been yet documented as to which name they should belong. There is no way to determine which they are from photographs alone. In order to determine identity, adult males would need to be physically examined. It is also likely that such individuals may not fit neetly into any of the narrowly defined named units, and again this would need further study to determine. When the insects are from within the documented ranges of named populations, they can be assigned a name based on location.

In 2012 Daniel Otte published 16 new names in this group and elevated two names traditionally treated as subspecies or synonyms to species ranking, bringing the total in the group to 19. These populations were previously treated as but one species (or as two by some authors). The visual differences between these 19 "species" are insignificant, and the distinctions are based on subtle differences in male genitalia. These entities are not reliably distinguishable from their nearest neighbors within the group, except by knowing the location found, and/or by disecting male genitalia. In external appearance these populations form a continuum of variation, from populations in the north with individuals usually relatively contrastingly patterned, to populations in the south with individuals usually relatively dull and non-contrasting in color pattern, but there is no obvious visual demarcation between types. Here they are treated together as one group, since it is not practical to try and separate out all 19 from submitted photographs alone.

For further details, and distribution maps, see Daniel Otte's 2012 publication, listed below.

Found at high elevation; broad-bodied insects; wings short (usually not or only slightly longer than pronotum), overlapping at top; sometimes with pale stripe along sides of top of pronotum and wings (stripes most prominent in northern populations), often with top paler than sides; body usually dull grayish to brownish (paler on lower sides and ventrally), often speckled dark; males (sometimes females) with distinct dark "postocular" black bars extending backward onto pronotum from eyes; hind tibiae red. Male cerci are relatively slender, tapering from base to a relatively narrow, but blunt rounded tip.

Other red-legged, equally short-winged Melanoplus from the same region have the tegmina (front wings) not overlapping above (usually not touching) and more rounded in shape.

In mountains from south-central Wyoming, across Colorado into eastern and central Utah, and to southern New Mexico.

Most often found in relatively dry grassy (often gravelly) sunny openings or understory in Montane and Subalpine conifer forests, above about 6000 ft. (north) or 8000 ft. (south). Often indirectly associated with Ponderosa Pine, White Fir, Douglas Fir, Gambel Oak, Limber Pine, etc.

Adults from late June to frost, but generally most often encountered in July and August.

Overwinters as eggs laid in ground; hatch in spring. Adults late spring or early summer to frost.

Fairly common in most of the higher mountains within the distribution area, but often overlooked because the insects tend to be inconspicuous in behavior, and other more active species are likely to draw attention away from these little grasshoppers.