Olive-green Swamp Grasshopper
Paroxya clavuliger
This record describes Paroxya clavuliger (species). Recorded family: Acrididae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Greenish to greenish-black with dark stripe through eye. Long antennae, especially in males. Hind tibiae are bluish green. Larger than P. atlanticus . In male P. clavuliger antennae are longer than hind femora, while shorter in P. atlanticus . Distinguished from Melanoplus by longer pronotum and antennae. However, Melanoplus gracilis is very similar, differing primarily in having very short wings. See print references.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Caelifera
- Family
- Acrididae (Short-horned Grasshoppers)
- Subfamily
- Melanoplinae
- Tribe
- Melanoplini
- Genus
- Paroxya
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Usually wet areas with lush herbaceous growth, such as near the edge of ponds and marshes, including salt marshes.
Geographic Range
Eastern North America; southern Ontario to Maine, and south to the Gulf Coast from Texas to Florida.
Seasonal Activity
Adults found July-October in northern part of range. Found April-December in Florida. July-frost (North Carolina).
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Probably from Latin clavula- "little club" + Latin ger- "bearer": the phrase "petite massue" ("little club") is used in the key couplet for the species in the original description, apparently referring to the shape of the cerci. Derivation from clavulus-"little nail" or similar words can't be ruled out on linguistic grounds, though.
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Paroxya clavuliger. 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 Olive-green Swamp Grasshopper (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by Chuck Entz , David Ferguson
Frequently Asked Questions About Olive-green Swamp Grasshopper
What is Olive-green Swamp Grasshopper?
Olive-green Swamp Grasshopper (Paroxya clavuliger) is a species in the family Acrididae, within the order Orthoptera.
How big is Olive-green Swamp Grasshopper?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Male | 20-33 mm |
| Female | 29-46 mm |
How do you identify Olive-green Swamp Grasshopper?
Greenish to greenish-black with dark stripe through eye. Long antennae, especially in males. Hind tibiae are bluish green. Larger than P. atlanticus . In male P. clavuliger antennae are longer than hind femora, while shorter in P. atlanticus . Distinguished from Melanoplus by longer pronotum and antennae. However, Melanoplus gracilis is very similar, differing primarily in having very short wings. See print references.
Where is Olive-green Swamp Grasshopper found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Usually wet areas with lush herbaceous growth, such as near the edge of ponds and marshes, including salt marshes. |
| Range | Eastern North America; southern Ontario to Maine, and south to the Gulf Coast from Texas to Florida. |
When is Olive-green Swamp Grasshopper active?
Olive-green Swamp Grasshopper: seasonal activity - Adults found July-October in northern part of range. Found April-December in Florida. July-frost (North Carolina)..