Grasshoppers
What are they?
Common species of usually open, grassy areas, from back yards and sandy fields to open saltmarsh. Grasshoppers typically are stocky, strong-legged insects with relatively short antennae. Unlike most of the crickets and bush-crickets, grasshoppers tend to be mainly active during the day. Many species are cryptically colored to blend into their environment, making them hard to find at times.
Identification
Several groups can be difficult to identify and stridulations can be important among some groups. Colors vary greatly but general patterns tend to be constant, so the amount and position of dark marks can be important, as can be the color of the inside of the hind legs, and of the hind wings (seen in flight or can be revealed when held in the hand).
Differential Grasshopper Melanoplus differentialis
A medium to large grasshopper that is very variable in ground color but almost always relatively unmarked. There is usually a clearly marked herringbone of black marks on the hind femur and the hind tibia is yellowish in color.
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Red-legged Grasshopper Melanoplus femurrubrum
A small grasshopper that usually has a reddish tint to the hind legs and a pale, creamy stripe on the flank.
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Olive-green Swamp Grasshopper Paroxya clavuliger
A small to medium grasshopper with a strong black mark down the side of the thorax. Very similar to Atlantic Grasshopper but with less black on the side and less of a tendency to show a reddish tint to the upper side. Usually found in wet areas around edges of ponds and marshes, and in saltmarsh.
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Orange-winged Grasshopper Pardalophora phoenicoptera
A small to medium grasshopper found in dry, grassy places. When disturbed, the bright, orange-red hindwings are readily seen. Variable in overall color, but usually strongly marbled with black. Inside of hind leg is bright blue (but this might sometimes be hidden from view).
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Seaside Grasshopper Trimerotropis maritima
A medium-sized grasshopper that is typically found on sandy beaches throughout the barrier islands and around Cape May Point. The color matches the local sand remarkably well. In flight, hindwings reveal a lemon yellow base and a broad, black band across the center.
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Mischievous Bird Grasshopper Schistocerca damnifica
A medium to large grasshopper that appears to be uncommon in the area, but can be found in old fields and grassy powerline cuts. Finely-speckled, but appearing plain from a distance. Has a well-ridged top to the thorax, which often appears brighter orange than the rest of the insect.
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Carolina Grasshopper Dissosteira carolina
(Carolina Locust) A medium to large grasshopper that is common throughout the area. Often abundant in late summer and fall in all types of grassy places, including roadsides. Flies readily, when it reveals a mostly black hindwing with pale yellow outer border, giving it the appearance of a Mourning Cloak butterfly.
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Black-sided Pygmy Grasshopper Tettigidea lateralis
Pygmy grasshoppers are small and dark-colored, making them difficult to find and easily overlooked. Adults are around a half inch long. May be found in most habitats but most often found in damp areas with dark, loamy soils, where their dark color blends in well.
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Crested Pygmy Grasshopper Tettigidea lateralis
Pygmy grasshoppers are small and dark-colored, making them difficult to find and easily overlooked. Adults are around a half inch long. May be found in most habitats but most often found in damp areas with dark, loamy soils, where their dark color blends in well. This species is distinguished by its strongly ridged, or 'crested' back.
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