McClung's Juniper Grasshopper
Melanoplus macclungi
This record describes Melanoplus macclungi (species). Recorded family: Acrididae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Similar to Melanoplus punctulatus and M. splendidus . Larger, with male cerci distinctly more slender.
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
On the edge of dense stands of eastern red cedar, Juniperus virginiana , and areas with scattered trees.
Geographic Range
South-central Kansas, Oklahoma, and the Ozark regions of Missouri and Arkansas.
Seasonal Activity
July to frost, most abundant in August
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Juniperus virginiana
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Melanoplus macclungi. 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 McClung's Juniper Grasshopper (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by David J. Ferguson; Additional contributions by Alex Harman
Frequently Asked Questions About McClung's Juniper Grasshopper
What is McClung's Juniper Grasshopper?
McClung's Juniper Grasshopper (Melanoplus macclungi) is a species in the family Acrididae, within the order Orthoptera.
Where is McClung's Juniper Grasshopper found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | On the edge of dense stands of eastern red cedar, Juniperus virginiana , and areas with scattered trees. |
| Range | South-central Kansas, Oklahoma, and the Ozark regions of Missouri and Arkansas. |
What does McClung's Juniper Grasshopper eat?
The diet of the McClung's Juniper Grasshopper includes Juniperus virginiana.
When is McClung's Juniper Grasshopper active?
McClung's Juniper Grasshopper: seasonal activity - July to frost, most abundant in August.