Walsh's Short-wing Grasshopper
Melanoplus walshii
This record describes Melanoplus walshii (species). Recorded family: Acrididae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Hind tibiae red; hind femur distinctly cross-banded with dark on outer side. Tegmina short, but roughly same length as pronotum, overlapping above, usually (when folded) with pale stripes along top edge that continue forward along sides of pronotum. Very similar to M. nigrescens and M. querneus , which are found nearer the coast from North Carolina into Florida. Those species average larger, the male cerci are wider, and the top of the (usually longer) folded tegmina average more evenly pale and contrasted with the darker sides. Particularly similar to M. alabamae , which occurs to the south in Alabama and perhaps Mississippi. M. alabamae tends to have slightly longer wings, less pronounced pale dorsal stripes, and minute male furculae (small but well-developed in M. walshii . Male cerci of M. alabamae are slightly larger and more expanded apically, with a more evident angle on the lower side near the end (overall, a bit closer to boot-shaped). 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
from Blatchley, 1920: "inhabits thickets of shrubbery, and herbage in and near deciduous woodlands ... and sometimes extends its habitat into adjoining fields. from Lugger, 1898 (via Blatchley): "... preferring the edges of forests or places overgrown with bushes and vines. The grapevine, especially, is preferred by these locusts, and they soon destroy its foliage by eating big holes in the leaves."
Geographic Range
Minnesota to Ohio, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, and Nebraska.
Seasonal Activity
Generally late, adults maturing June thru September and lasting until frost.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Click on this image for life cycle photos:
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Melanoplus walshii. 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 Walsh's Short-wing Grasshopper (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by David Ferguson , marcie oconnor , KenW , metrioptera , Tyler Hedlund
Frequently Asked Questions About Walsh's Short-wing Grasshopper
What is Walsh's Short-wing Grasshopper?
Walsh's Short-wing Grasshopper (Melanoplus walshii) is a species in the family Acrididae, within the order Orthoptera.
How big is Walsh's Short-wing Grasshopper?
18 - 30 mm; females much larger than males
How do you identify Walsh's Short-wing Grasshopper?
Hind tibiae red; hind femur distinctly cross-banded with dark on outer side. Tegmina short, but roughly same length as pronotum, overlapping above, usually (when folded) with pale stripes along top edge that continue forward along sides of pronotum. Very similar to M. nigrescens and M. querneus , which are found nearer the coast from North Carolina into Florida. Those species average larger, the male cerci are wider, and the top of the (usually longer) folded tegmina average more evenly pale and contrasted with the darker sides. Particularly similar to M. alabamae , which occurs to the south in Alabama and perhaps Mississippi. M. alabamae tends to have slightly longer wings, less pronounced pale dorsal stripes, and minute male furculae (small but well-developed in M. walshii . Male cerci of M. alabamae are slightly larger and more expanded apically, with a more evident angle on the lower side near the end (overall, a bit closer to boot-shaped). Tip of male abdomen
Where is Walsh's Short-wing Grasshopper found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | from Blatchley, 1920: inhabits thickets of shrubbery, and herbage in and near deciduous woodlands ... and sometimes extends its habitat into adjoining fields. from Lugger, 1898 (via Blatchley): ... preferring the edges of forests or places overgrown with bushes and vines. The grapevine, especially, is preferred by these locusts, and they soon destroy its foliage by eating big holes in the leaves. |
| Range | Minnesota to Ohio, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, and Nebraska. |
When is Walsh's Short-wing Grasshopper active?
Walsh's Short-wing Grasshopper: seasonal activity - Generally late, adults maturing June thru September and lasting until frost..
What is the life cycle of a Walsh's Short-wing Grasshopper?
Click on this image for life cycle photos: