Oak Spur-throat Grasshopper
Melanoplus querneus
This record describes Melanoplus querneus (species). Recorded family: Acrididae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
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 on sides. Very similar to M. nigrescens , replacing it southward. That species averages darker, and the male cerci are narrower. Quite likely the two are regional variants of one species. M. walshii is wide-ranging further to the northwest, and is smaller. Male cerci smaller and more slender than in either of the above. Tegmina a bit shorter than either (usually about equal to pronotum in length), usually with light stripes along top edges (when folded) as apposed to entirely light on top. M. alabamae, tunicae, & ponderosus occur further west, and all have more expanded male cerci. M. alabamae is very similar in appearance (it replaces M. querneus immediately to the west in Mississippi and Tennessee), and females may be difficult to separate. Male cercus
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
undergrowth and margins of woodlands
Geographic Range
northern Florida into southwestern Georgia and southeastern Alabama.
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Melanoplus querneus. 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 Spur-throat Grasshopper (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jeff Hollenbeck; Additional contributions by David Ferguson , metrioptera , Tyler Hedlund
Frequently Asked Questions About Oak Spur-throat Grasshopper
What is Oak Spur-throat Grasshopper?
Oak Spur-throat Grasshopper (Melanoplus querneus) is a species in the family Acrididae, within the order Orthoptera.
How big is Oak Spur-throat Grasshopper?
22 - 40 mm; females considerably larger than males
How do you identify Oak Spur-throat Grasshopper?
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 on sides. Very similar to M. nigrescens , replacing it southward. That species averages darker, and the male cerci are narrower. Quite likely the two are regional variants of one species. M. walshii is wide-ranging further to the northwest, and is smaller. Male cerci smaller and more slender than in either of the above. Tegmina a bit shorter than either (usually about equal to pronotum in length), usually with light stripes along top edges (when folded) as apposed to entirely light on top. M. alabamae, tunicae, & ponderosus occur further west, and all have more expanded male cerci. M. alabamae is very similar in appearance (it replaces M. querneus immediately to the west in Mississippi and Tennessee), and females may be difficult to separate. Male cercus
Where is Oak Spur-throat Grasshopper found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | undergrowth and margins of woodlands |
| Range | northern Florida into southwestern Georgia and southeastern Alabama. |