Dawson's Grasshopper
Melanoplus dawsoni
This record describes Melanoplus dawsoni (species). Recorded family: Acrididae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
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 appears striped. Tip of male abdomen
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Caelifera
- Family
- Acrididae (Short-horned Grasshoppers)
- Subfamily
- Melanoplinae
- Tribe
- Melanoplini
- Genus
- Melanoplus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Mostly in lower mountains and broken terrain. Very common in parts of inland West. Usually in dry grassland in rocky areas, often associated with Pine forest or other open woodlands.
Geographic Range
Rocky Mountains from New Mexico to se. British Columbia, and eastward across s. Canada and n. U.S.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Principally forbs.
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Melanoplus dawsoni. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
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.
Ecological role of the group
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.
Economic and practical significance of the group
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.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, UN World Food Programme, research publications. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Dawson's Grasshopper (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by David J. Ferguson; Additional contributions by metrioptera , Tyler Hedlund
Frequently Asked Questions About Dawson's Grasshopper
What is Dawson's Grasshopper?
Dawson's Grasshopper (Melanoplus dawsoni) is a species in the family Acrididae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Dawson's Grasshopper?
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 appears striped. Tip of male abdomen
Where is Dawson's Grasshopper found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Mostly in lower mountains and broken terrain. Very common in parts of inland West. Usually in dry grassland in rocky areas, often associated with Pine forest or other open woodlands. |
| Range | Rocky Mountains from New Mexico to se. British Columbia, and eastward across s. Canada and n. U.S. |
What does Dawson's Grasshopper eat?
The diet of the Dawson's Grasshopper includes Principally forbs..