Longhorn Band-wing Grasshopper
Psinidia fenestralis
This record describes Psinidia fenestralis (species). Recorded family: Acrididae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Smallish, slender body; lateral lobes (sides) of pronotum with lower hind angle (not rounded); antennae long, broad, and flattened; wings usually bright orange to near red; in the northeastern states, sometimes yellow. Typical orange wing color Yellow wing variant (widespread in ME, NH, and MA populations) In most of range, Trachyrhachys kiowa is only closely similar species in size and structure, but has antennae shorter and slender, not flattened; wings clear to yellow. Spharagemon marmorata often occurs in the same habitats, and is sometimes confused in photographs. It is similar in size and coloring (or slightly larger). However, the long antennae are slender; the hind tibiae are orange to red, the wings are yellow, the lateral lobes of the pronotum are rounded at the lower rear.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Caelifera
- Family
- Acrididae (Short-horned Grasshoppers)
- Subfamily
- Oedipodinae
- Tribe
- Psinidiini
- Genus
- Psinidia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Typically on sand in grassy areas
Geographic Range
Eastern United States, into southern Ontario. West as far as sw. Kansas (Edwards County) and the Texas Panhandle (east from the Caprock).
Seasonal Activity
Adults mostly from July-October; year-round in FL
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Psinidia fenestralis. 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 Longhorn Band-wing Grasshopper (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Tony DiTerlizzi; Additional contributions by cotinis , David Ferguson , metrioptera
Frequently Asked Questions About Longhorn Band-wing Grasshopper
What is Longhorn Band-wing Grasshopper?
Longhorn Band-wing Grasshopper (Psinidia fenestralis) is a species in the family Acrididae, within the order Orthoptera.
How big is Longhorn Band-wing Grasshopper?
Males 20-26 mm body length, females 26-36 mm body length
How do you identify Longhorn Band-wing Grasshopper?
Smallish, slender body; lateral lobes (sides) of pronotum with lower hind angle (not rounded); antennae long, broad, and flattened; wings usually bright orange to near red; in the northeastern states, sometimes yellow. Typical orange wing color Yellow wing variant (widespread in ME, NH, and MA populations) In most of range, Trachyrhachys kiowa is only closely similar species in size and structure, but has antennae shorter and slender, not flattened; wings clear to yellow. Spharagemon marmorata often occurs in the same habitats, and is sometimes confused in photographs. It is similar in size and coloring (or slightly larger). However, the long antennae are slender; the hind tibiae are orange to red, the wings are yellow, the lateral lobes of the pronotum are rounded at the lower rear.
Where is Longhorn Band-wing Grasshopper found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Typically on sand in grassy areas |
| Range | Eastern United States, into southern Ontario. West as far as sw. Kansas (Edwards County) and the Texas Panhandle (east from the Caprock). |
When is Longhorn Band-wing Grasshopper active?
Longhorn Band-wing Grasshopper: seasonal activity - Adults mostly from July-October; year-round in FL.