Oak-loving Short-wing Grasshopper
Melanoplus quercicola
This record describes Melanoplus quercicola (species). Recorded family: Acrididae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Closely related to Melanoplus davisi , and perhaps just a subspecies. Distinguished by more easterly distribution ( M. davisi occurs west from Walton County), narrower apex of male cerci, and tegmina more even in coloring. Relatively larger than most short-winged species in Florida, with tegmina that overlap slightly on top, red hind tibiae, triangular cerci that narrow toward a blunt tip, and male furculae small, broad, somewhat rounded in shape but with tip pointed giving an overall roughly triangular shape. Also very similar to M. carnegiei and M. carnegiei acidocercus , which occur further north in Georgia. 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
Geographic Range
Florida panhandle east of Walton County. Perhaps into adjacent Mississipi or Georgia.
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Melanoplus quercicola. 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 Oak-loving Short-wing Grasshopper (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by David J. Ferguson; Additional contributions by Tyler Hedlund
Frequently Asked Questions About Oak-loving Short-wing Grasshopper
What is Oak-loving Short-wing Grasshopper?
Oak-loving Short-wing Grasshopper (Melanoplus quercicola) is a species in the family Acrididae, within the order Orthoptera.
How big is Oak-loving Short-wing Grasshopper?
Approx. 18 - 30 mm long; males smaller than females.
How do you identify Oak-loving Short-wing Grasshopper?
Closely related to Melanoplus davisi , and perhaps just a subspecies. Distinguished by more easterly distribution ( M. davisi occurs west from Walton County), narrower apex of male cerci, and tegmina more even in coloring. Relatively larger than most short-winged species in Florida, with tegmina that overlap slightly on top, red hind tibiae, triangular cerci that narrow toward a blunt tip, and male furculae small, broad, somewhat rounded in shape but with tip pointed giving an overall roughly triangular shape. Also very similar to M. carnegiei and M. carnegiei acidocercus , which occur further north in Georgia. Tip of male abdomen
Where is Oak-loving Short-wing Grasshopper found?
Range: Florida panhandle east of Walton County. Perhaps into adjacent Mississipi or Georgia.