Identification
As compared to other populations of S. lineata, these appear to differ in being shorter winged and perhaps smaller than "usual", and in having the yellow dorsal stripe frequently missing.
Most likely to be confused with S. alutacea and especially with S. rubiginosa, which both have males with front and middle femora only slightly swollen. Both typically are somewhat larger with proportionately longer wings, and S. alutacea tends to appear somewhat more slender with a propotionately smaller head. Many published records of S. rubiginosa and S. alutacea from this region were likely really S. lineata, which was never thought to occur in the Northeast until relatively recently. However, studies of genitalia and morphology show that indeed most of the Schistocerca found in the Midwest and near the northern Atlantic coast and belonging to this group, are S. lineata. There is some evidence in the often intermediate appearance of specimens from North Carolina and through the Midwest, that the types of insect described here under S. lineata and S. rubiginosa may intergrade with one another, and perhaps even represent geographic subspecies of the same species. For the most part, S. rubiginosa displaces S. lineata in the southeast, and in the area of contact or overlap, the two are often very difficult to distinguish (especially females). Such questions will require further and more detailed study of populations in the field.
From other Schistocerca these can be distinguished by having a combination of relatively short wings; long antennae; color pattern; and males with distinctly swollen front and middle legs.
Range
A bit uncertain due to confusion with other species, but found in sandy habitats along and near Atlantic coast. There are published records for S. lineata from all states east of the Appalachians from New Hampshire, Connecticut, and New York southward to North Carolina, which probably all apply to this type of insect. Appears to blend into more "typical" S. lineata westward across Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
Habitat
Most often noted from sandy "Pine Barrens", coastal dunes and barrier islands.
Food
Likely varied, but probably mostly dicots. In NY appears to feed mostly on Sweet fern (Comptonia)
Life Cycle
Overwintering as eggs burried in ground; hatching late spring or early summer, and maturing in summer. Adults from June or July into autumn.
