Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids
Order Orthoptera
The Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids (Order Orthoptera) includes 1,030 species across 22 families and 248 genera in our directory.
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids
Orthoptera includes ~28,000 described species of grasshoppers, crickets, and katydids. Desert locusts can form swarms covering 460 square miles containing up to 80 million individuals per square kilometer.
Economic Impact
A single large locust swarm can consume the same amount of food in one day as 35,000 people. The 2019-2021 East Africa locust crisis affected food security for 42 million people across multiple countries. Global crop losses from locusts can reach billions annually.
Ecological Role
Grasshoppers and crickets are a primary food source for birds, reptiles, and small mammals. Cricket farming is a growing industry - crickets require 12× less feed than cattle to produce the same amount of protein, using 2,000× less water.
Families in Orthoptera (22)
Species in Orthoptera (1,030)
Admirable Grasshopper
Syrbula admirabilis
Identification: Face very slanted, hind legs very long and slender. Antennae are thread-like, but have expanded tip in males. Pronotum has two ridges. See this detail: Females typically green/brown, males may be blackish. Forewings have wavy (crenula
Ageneotettix salutator
Ageneotettix salutator
Identification: Very similar to A. deorum , except antennae not white, fastigium more slender, middle dark marking on top of hind femur usually not triangular.
Agile Meadow Katydid
Orchelimum agile
Identification: A slender Orchelimum , rather resembles Conocephalus . Coloration is a rather washed out green, with a mostly creamy white face bordered with brown maculation. Eyes white or light pink. Wings typically (?) longer than abdomen in most
Agroecotettix aristus
Agroecotettix aristus
Identification: Compare characters of male aedeagus in
Agroecotettix texmex
Agroecotettix texmex
Identification: Compare aedeagus figures in . Only known species in south Texas.
Alabama Spur-throat Grasshopper
Melanoplus alabamae
Identification: Very like M. querneus & M. nigrescens from further east. Wings are usually longer, and male cerci are more expanded apically. It is also a bit probematic to know where M. walshii (to the north) stops and M. alabamae begins. The main
Alexander's Tree Cricket
Oecanthus alexanderi
Identification: Pale green, translucent wings, pale antennae, antennal markings similar to O. rileyi, orange patch on head. Has an unusual call for a tree cricket. The song can be heard on the SINA website at: http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/walker/b
Alkali Grasshopper
Anconia integra
Identification: Dull grayish, brownish, or green, often with small darker spotting and often with a pale "X" on the back of the pronotum. Slender in form with pronotum noticeably wide at the back, narrow in front, with hind angle above rounded, with
Allard’s Ground Cricket
Allonemobius allardi
Closely related to A. fasciatus ; prefers dryer ground than that species.
Alpine Shieldback
Acrodectes philopagus
Identification: The unusual black and tan coloration readily serves to distinguish this species The genus Acrodectes is monotypic (i.e. contains a single species). The original description of both the genus and species, written be Hebard & Morgan in
American Bird Grasshopper
Schistocerca americana
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. Prosternal spine thick, whitish, only slightly bending
Ammopelmatus pictus
Ammopelmatus pictus
Identification: Black markings on the head in both sexes is diagnostic - Alice Abela/David Weissman It is possible that more than one species are represented by the BugGuide photos placed under this species, as the genus is currently being revised.
Apache Bush Katydid
Insara apache
Identification: More robust than other Insara spp; colored plain green as opposed to other species which are patterned
Apalachicola Short-wing Grasshopper
Melanoplus apalachicolae
Identification: Melanoplus apalachicolae is brownish to grayish dorsally and yellow below; dark stripe from behind the eye across the pronotum and widening slightly towards the posterior of the pronotum; flightless, with elongate-oval vestigial wings
Apalachicola meadow katydid
Odontoxiphidium apalachicolae
Identification: Similar to O. apterum in overall appearance. Most easily distinguished in the field by its distinctive color pattern (generally red, with two turquoise stripes running down pronotum), shape of female ovipositor, and distinctive male s
Appalachia arcana
Appalachia arcana
Identification: A flightless grasshopper endemic to northern Lower Michigan. It is commonly found on sweetfern ( Comptonia peregrina ) in jack pine barrens.
Archbold Pygmy Mole Grasshopper
Neotridactylus archboldi
Identification: Flightless; distinctive shiny black coloration with red hind knees. Can be found by visiting open sand scrub areas within a few hours of a rain, and carefully digging up the raised burrows.
Arid Lands Spur-Throat Grasshopper
Melanoplus aridus
Identification: Smallish (mostly under 1 inch, but sometimes longer in the south). Antennae and eyes are usually brown, often strongly reddish. With very short wings, and the tegmina oval and usually widely separated. The bar behind the eyes on th
Arizona Longwing
Capnobotes arizonensis
Identification: Large, green to brown or gray, with large fairly even-spaced rounded pale spots on tegmina. Hinds wings not dark. Prosternal spine, and ventral hind femoral spines absent (present in other Capnobotes species). C. fuliginosa has dark
Arizona Meadow Katydid
Orchelimum unispina
Identification: Very similar to Conocephalus in general appearance - more slender than other Orchelimum spp., and with a straight ovipositor (unlike the upcurved ovipositor of most Orchelimum). Shape of male cercus and calling song are distinctive.
Arizona Spur-Throat Grasshopper
Melanoplus arizonae
Identification: Melanoplus arizonae is similar to M. sanguinipes . Averages more boldly and brightly patterned, but coloration is highly variable. Less likely to be greenish/bluish. Less likely to have a solid dark bar on thorax behind eyes. Aver
Arrowweed Grasshopper
Melanoplus herbaceus
Identification: Similar to M. cinereus, M. bowditchi, & M. pictus , all of which might occur with it. Those species all favor Composite shrubs, but tend to be mostly in semi-arid to arid habitats, often sandy and usually dry in nature. They are usu
Arroyo Grasshopper
Heliastus benjamini
Identification: Smallish (mostly under 1.25 inches, i.e., 32 mm, long). Usually grayish or reddish brown (matching substrate), with contrasting dark cross bands. Hind wings basally red to rose-red with faint cloudy dark cross band. Hind femur intern
Atascosa Gem Grasshopper
Aztecacris gloriosa
Identification: Rather similar in appearance to Hesperotettix and Poecilotettix , but somewhat stockier in build; male with upper margin of subgenital plate not elevated near base, but nearly flat; with short oval tegmina ( Hesperotettix & Poecilotet
Atascosa Grasshopper
Opeia atascosa
Identification: Similar to O. obscura , but more slender with face more strongly slanting; wings shorter than in most O. obscura .
Atlantic Grasshopper
Paroxya atlantica
Identification: Yellowish brown, often tending towards reddish on upper side; dark tripe behind eye; resembling a Melanoplus , but pronotum is much longer, as are male antennae. Smaller and less greenish than Olive-green Swamp Grasshopper, Paroxya cl
Autumn Yellow-winged Grasshopper
Arphia xanthoptera
Identification: One of largest of its genus, typically dark, usually has yellow hindwings. Un-cut crested pronotum is distinctive as is size (in east), and hind tibiae are usually very dark. Of late season occurrence. A. sulphurea and A. conspersa a
Aztec Grasshopper
Lactista aztecus
Identification: Small size (females usually not or little over 1 inch long, males smaller). Pronotum is much narrower at front than back and has low median ridge cut only once. Hind wings yellow with dark cross band; hind tibiae usually bluish. Ou
Badlands Grasshopper
Trimerotropis sparsa
In an area in southern Idaho, T. sparsa, T. cyaneipennis, T. suffusa, T. gracilis, T. pseudofasciata , and T . "unnamed species a" can all be found relatively near to, or with one another, and the situation can become very confused there. It is also
Ball's Little Shieldback
Decticita balli
Identification: Distinguished from other species in genus by distribution and presence of strong lateral carinae on pronotum.
Belfrage's cricket
Trigonidomimus belfragei
Identification: Identified by the combination of: -- shortened forewings -- antennal placement low on head -- 2nd tarsal segments short and cylindrical -- hind tarsi with few pairs of spines -- ovipositor slim and straight. Known only from 5 specimen
Big Bend Oblong-winged Katydid
Amblycorypha insolita
Identification: Dark diagonal band across stridulatory area is diagnostic for this species (in males)
Big-headed Grasshopper
Aulocara elliotti
Identification: A fairly variable species. Typically with a pale "X" on the pronotum, though it may be partial or faded. Hind femur with two black bands, visible from above. Hind tibia blue. Wings extend beyond the tip of the abdomen. Does indeed see
Black-headed Jerusalem Cricket
Ammopelmatus nigrocapitatus
Identification: Black head on adult males is diagnostic - Alice Abela/David Weissman It is possible that more than one species are represented by the BugGuide photos placed under this species, as the genus is currently being revised.
Black-legged Meadow Katydid
Orchelimum nigripes
Identification: Dark legs distinctive. Face white with mottling. Very similar to Handsome Meadow Katydid , Orchelimum pulchellum , mostly found in the southeast. Singing Insects of North America Range maps ( Black-legged , Handsome ), but that specie
Black-nosed Conehead
Neoconocephalus melanorhinus
Identification: Female ovipositor almost as long as hind femur, but not reaching end of folded wings (which are very long). Cone on head a little longer than broad, tapering toward broad rounded tip, almost entirely black on under side.
Black-sided Meadow Katydid
Conocephalus nigropleurum
Identification: side of abdomen black; pronotum bright green; ovipositor straight and about as long as abdomen; ventral surface of hind femur with one or more spines
Black-striped Desert Grasshopper
Netrosoma nigropleura
Identification: Small, wingless, with rear margin of pronotum emarginate. Males dark brown on whitish in color; appearing nearly black with due to dark wide stripe from eye onto base of abdomen; with pale yellowish white to off-white markings on face
Black-striped Grasshopper
Philocleon nigrovittatus
Identification: Robust, tegmina tiny and narrow. Color yellowish with broad contrasting black stripes. Hind tibiae bluish to red and bluish.
Black-winged Grasshopper
Trimerotropis melanoptera
Identification: Only likely to be confused with Trimerotropis latifasciata (see comments under that species ). The reddish abdomen and underside, and the broad black band that nearly dominates the otherwise pale wings are distinctive features. Resemb
Blue-winged Grasshopper
Trimerotropis cyaneipennis
This is often a common and conspicuous species of rocky places in the lower mountain and canyon areas of the west, where it's blue wings and noisy flight are bound to grab attention. It's habits are such that it is often met in areas frequented by v
Broad-banded Grasshopper
Trimerotropis latifasciata
A very active and often difficult to approach grasshopper, noticeable in flight due to coloration and sound produced. Often comes to lights at night, sometimes in large numbers.
Broad-legged Pygmy Grasshopper 0
Clypeotettix schochii
Identification: Stocky, long-winged. Middle femur very wide, about twice as long as wide.
Broad-tipped Conehead
Neoconocephalus triops
Identification: Song is a buzz interrupted at one second intervals, then switches to a continuous buzz. Males call from low bushes or from high intrees. Active earlier in the season than others in the genus. Large conehead, green or brown. Cone wider
Broad-winged Bush Katydid
Scudderia pistillata
Identification: This is the only species in this genus with an outer wing length only three times its width Lobes of male supra-anal plate form a wide, rounded V, and taper strongly toward the tips. Resembles a whale's fluke:
Broad-winged Tree Cricket
Oecanthus latipennis
Identification: The head has a true red color, the proximal portions of the antennae are dark red, and the hind 'knees' have an orange tint. These characteristics are found in Broad-winged Tree Crickets. The distal portion of the wings appear to be
Brown Winter Grasshopper
Amblytropidia mysteca
Identification: Robust, yellowish-brown, often with broad golden stripe running lengthwise above. Hind tibiae brownish-yellow. Eye is large. Face is slanted, top of head is rounded. Antennae are short. When disturbed, flies briefly, then dives and bu
Brownsville Meadow Katydid
Conocephalus resacensis
Type locality: Texas, nr. Brownsville, Piper Plantation Texas Parks & Wildlife considers this to be a "Species of Greatest Conservation Need" (SGCN)
Brownsville Short-wing Grasshopper
Melanoplus cameronis
Identification: Differs from M. plebejus in male cerci narrower; male furculae averaging shorter (basically peg-like but still diverging in M. cameronis ); tegmina, when short-winged, with apex drawn into a longer and more acute point. Differs from M
Bruner Longwing
Capnobotes bruneri
Identification: Compared to C. occidentalis (which occurs in the same area), pronotum is more even in shape, wings shorter with tegmina wide toward base and distinctly narrowing toward tip (longer and more even in width in in C. occidentalis ). Colo
Bruner Shieldback
Pediodectes bruneri
Identification: Very similar to P. tinkhami , but with rear of sides of face (in adults) pale, and white band across face expanded to a broader triangle. Rear of pronotum usually more prominently black. Occurs further to the east.
Brunner Pygmy Grasshopper
Tetrix brunnerii
Identification: Very like T. ornata , but more northern and at higher elevations. The two are likely one species, and some individuals in the zone of contact are impossible to place in one species or the other. This species differs in having the fa
Caerulean-winged Grasshopper
Trimerotropis pseudofasciata
Although wings are usually blue, this species is very close to the yellow-winged species of the T. pallidipennis group, and has very similar appearance and behavior to those species. It produces a rapid, relatively high-pitched, loud, and interrupte
California Angle-winged Katydid
Microcentrum californicum
Identification: Appearance similar to Greater Angle-winged Katydid, Microcentrum rhombifolium , but songs are different. Compare audio files at these Web pages: California Angle-wing: http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/walker/buzz/033a.htm Greater Angle-wing:
California Camel Cricket
Ceuthophilus californianus
Identification: Relatively plain in coloring. Large rounded head. Distinction from related (more southern) C. hesperus is difficult where they overlap distributions (approximately in Los Angeles County). Male external genitalia differ in shape, but
California Clouded Grasshopper
Chimarocephala californica
Identification: Similar in general appearance to Encoptolophus pallidus , but structurally somewhat more like Encoptolophus subgracilis , with a narrower fastigium and straighter lateral pronotal carinae than both. Occurs futher west than both, and
California Orange-winged Grasshopper
Arphia ramona
Identification: Adults primarily in late winter / spring. Wings usually orange (verging to red, or rarely yellow). Produces a harsh buzz in flight. A. behrensi is similar, but averages smaller, a bit more slender, with fastigium a bit more slender,
California Red-winged Grasshopper
Arphia saussureana
Identification: Like A. pseudonietana , except abdomen and ventral thorax typically paler brownish or yellowish with limited darker coloration (typically banded or solid dark brown to black in A. pseudonietana ); hind femur normally with two complete
California Rose-Winged Grasshopper
Dissosteira pictipennis
Identification: Relatively high pronotal crest cut only once (sometimes with a second shallow notch toward front). Wings rose-pink to red in color with a curved dark band across middle. Often produces an interrupted buzzing sound in flight. Somethi
California Saltbush Grasshopper
Aeoloplides californicus
Identification: Tegmina overlap over back when folded, longer than pronotum (usually much longer). Similar to A. tenuipennis , differing in structure of hind femur, which is not distinctly grooved along lower edge, and without a wedge-shaped flange
California Sulphur-winged Grasshopper
Arphia behrensi
Identification: Adults in spring and early summer, some may live longer. Hind wings yellow with dark border. Fastigium relatively broad, except very narrow toward front where it meets frontal costa. Hind tibiae blue (at least partly). Nearly ident
California ground cricket
Neonemobius eurynotus
Identification: Distinctive color pattern. Shortened wings and extremely short and heavy ovipositor.
Calusa trig
Anaxipha calusa
Identification: Male with distinctive dark maculation on tegminae Appears strongly differentiated from other North American species of Anaxipha by analysis of COI sequences (Walker & Funk 2014)
Campestral Grasshopper
Spharagemon campestris
Identification: Similar to other Spharagemon , but differs in smaller size than most of those, smalish head and nearly flat top of pronotum with median ridge low and cut twice instead of (usually) once. Also, other species of Spharagemon have the in
Canyon Grasshopper
Melanoplus eumera
Identification: Melanoplus thomasi is usually a richer green or bluish color, has more striking pale stripes along the margins of the upper side, and has a longitudinal dark stripe on the outer hind femur instead of dark cross bands. Similar to M. di
Canyon Pygmy Mole Cricket
Ellipes monticolus
Identification: Antennae of male with 11 and female with 12 segments (as in E. gurneyi and E. californicus ). Pronotum with broad yellow border, central disk dark and divided by irregular yellowish lines. Caudal margin of female subgenital plate with
Carlinian Snapper
Circotettix carlinianus
Identification: Easily recognized by it's very loud and harsh interrupted buzzing crepitation while in flight, and by the black coloring on the otherwise clear wings. No other species within it's range is similar enough to confuse with it if wings a
Cascade Timberline Grasshopper
Prumnacris rainierensis
Identification: Very similar and probably very closely related to Buckellacris ; however, with tiny elongate tegmina (front wings) present. If tegmina are missing, it will key out to B. nuda , from which it differs by occuring in the Cascades, and i
Cattail Conehead
Bucrates malivolans
Identification: body either brown or green, with short or long wings; cone round-tipped without prominent gap between it and face; wings cover most or all of abdomen; ovipositor very long, at least 1.5 times as long as hind femur ( see drawing at OSF
Caudell's Conehead
Neoconocephalus caudellianus
Author of species: Davis, William Thompson (1862-1945). See Gordh and Headrick, p. 262 , original reference is American Entomologists .
Central Valley Grasshopper
Conozoa hyalina
Identification: Similar to C. texana and rebellis , but somewhat larger and plainer in pattern than usual for those species. Hind wings of C. hyalina are usually nearly clear, faintly yellow, with dark cross band absent, faint, or cloudy, not bold c
Chaparral Katydid
Platylyra californica
"A common but seldom seen southern California katydid. It inhabits native chaparral vegetation throughout the state but is secretive and does not readily fly to lights. Similar to Scudderia but smaller, not as slender and with shorter wings" - Jeffre
Chimarocephala elongata
Chimarocephala elongata
Rather similar in appearance to Stethophyma , but smaller, femur proportionately wider, and found in a different region. Could easily be confused as a Slant-face Grasshopper, but none others in the same region look quite the same (and presence of to
Chiricahua Short-wing Grasshopper
Melanoplus chiricahuae
Identification: Adult male Adult female Tip of male abdomen
Chirping Trig
Anaxipha delicatula
Macropters (long-winged individuals) sometimes frequent at light but adults collected elsewhere usually short-winged.
Chisos Katydid
Paracyrtophyllus excelsus
Texas Parks & Wildlife considers this to be a "Species of Greatest Conservation Need" (SGCN)
Clear-winged Grasshopper
Camnula pellucida
Identification: Size relatively small with adults mostly between 3/4 and 1 1/4 inch long (face to folded wing tips). Surface of body appearing rather smooth. Variable in coloration, but usually grayish, yellowish, or brownish with dark pantherine s
Clip-wing Grasshopper
Metaleptea brevicornis
Identification: Slant-faced, angled forewing tips, sword-like antennae, short rear-pointing spines on hind knees are distinctive: Color variable brown and green. Hindwing has no pigment. Flies, seldom leaps. This species is nearly unique among North
Clouded Grasshopper
Encoptolophus sordidus
Identification: Wing A species that tends to be common into Autumn, and to sometimes live even into early winter.
Club-horned Grasshopper
Aeropedellus clavatus
Identification: Males are easy to recognize because of the clubbed antennae. The antennae aren't as strongly clubbed on the females. Similar to Chorthippus , but the pattern on the hind legs, slightly bulkier build, and the lack of much yellow below
Cnemotettix bifasciatus
Cnemotettix bifasciatus
Identification: One of two mainland southern California species. These insects make burrows and stabilize them with a silk lining.
Coast Sand-treader Cricket
Rhachocnemis validus
Identification: Light-colored Camel Cricket with "sand basket" on hind tibiae. Most easily identified to genus and species by where found.
Coconino Wrangler Grasshopper
Circotettix coconino
Identification: Not reliably separable from C. rabula , but has blue hind tibiae (usually brownish to yellow in C. rabula , but intermediate colors occur across northern Arizona and northwestern New Mexico). On average the wings are shorter in C. co
Collared Ground Cricket
Neonemobius near-mormonius
Identification: Distinctive pattern is apparently unique and easy to recognize.
Colorado River Blue-wing Grasshopper
Trimerotropis arizonensis
Identification: Very similar to Trimerotropis cyaneipennis , but with narrower transparent blue-green to blue wings. Hind tibia varies from greenish to blue usually with dark near the top and bottom, plus a pale ring near the top. Pronotum with rea
Columbian Trig
Cyrtoxipha columbiana
Identification: The only green trig in most of its range, except Florida. Eyes yellow to red.
Conalcaea cantralli
Conalcaea cantralli
Identification: Distinction as a species from Conalcaea huachucana is dubious, and based on minor differences in male genitalia. Conalcaea cantralli displaces Conalcaea huachucana geographically. Conalcaea huachucana subspecies coyoterae is roughly i
Coral-winged Grasshopper
Pardalophora apiculata
Guide TBA--PC. In high elevation and northern regions, wings are shorter (notably on females) and females may be reluctant or even unable to fly. In most regions both genders are powerful fliers and hard to catch. Size is largest on the sandhills o
Crackling Forest Grasshopper
Trimerotropis verruculata
Identification: Trimerotropis sparsa and fratercula may be similar, but hind wings are narrower and the apex of the wings are usually mostly clear. The dark band across the hind wing is usually weak and ill-defined in T. sparsa . Circotettix species
Creosote Bush Grasshopper
Bootettix argentatus
Identification: Distinctive: most similar to the unrelated Creosote Bush katydid ( Insara covilleae ), which is distinguished by the long antennae and pattern specifics. Male song is a short 1-2 second long, locust-like reel given after dusk.
Creosote Bush Katydid
Insara covilleae
Identification: Pronotum is "saddle-shaped" . Green or dark green with prominent white spots on tegmina (forewings). Rarely brown.
Crepitating Grasshopper
Spharagemon crepitans
Type locality: Georgia Often considered as a southeastern subspecies of S. bolli.
Cristate Grasshopper
Conozoa texana
Identification: Typical of Conozoa (see Info section under genus heading). Variable, but slender; with lateral lobes of pronotum projecting somewhat downward at lower rear corner and usually somewhat angled or toothed there; median crest of pronotum
Cuban Ground Cricket
Neonemobius cubensis
Despite the name, apparently rather widespread across the eastern U.S. Very small, with a high-pitched song, so may be undetected at many points where it occurs.
Curve-tailed Bush Katydid
Scudderia curvicauda
Identification: Outer lobes of male supra-anal plate form a shallow V, and turn away from each other; from above, it resembles a whale's fluke
Dallas Short-wing Grasshopper
Melanoplus flabellatus
Identification: Contrasting dark bars behind eyes; blue hind tibiae; short wings usually touch over abdomen; male cerci triangular, longer than wide, tapering entire length to narrow tip. Tip of male abdomen
Damp-loving Field Cricket
Gryllus alogus
Identification: Somewhat more brownish than most Gryllus species (still overall blackish though); not strongly patterned. Short or long-winged, and often flying to lights. The most distinctive feature is the rapid short "chirps" of the male song ,
Dancing Grasshopper
Circotettix maculatus
Identification: Usually the body is more strongly marked with dark spots or irregular cross bands than in related species that are found with it. The wings are partly black without yellow, green or blue coloring. Smaller in size than other Circotet
Dark-sided Grasshopper
Melanoplus nigrescens
Identification: Hind tibiae red; hind femur distinctly cross-banded dark on outer side. Tegmina short, but longer than pronotum, overlapping above, usually (when folded) light on top and contrastingly darker (often nearly black) on sides. Very simila
Dawson's Grasshopper
Melanoplus dawsoni
Identification: Rather similar to M. borealis and M. femurrubrum , but differing in details of subgenital plate of male, and usually considerably smaller. Wings are nearly always short. Underside is yellow, upper side dark, abdomen above usually ap