Marbled Grasshopper
Spharagemon marmoratum
This record describes Spharagemon marmoratum (species). Recorded family: Acrididae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Gray and brown, with strongly banded femora. Tibia are orange or red, pale yellowish ring at base. In flight, hindwings show a distinctive wide, curved, dark band. The Longhorn Bandwinged Grasshopper, Psinidia fenestralis is similar, has longer antennae. Hind tibiae are yellowish with black band. Found in similar habitats.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Caelifera
- Family
- Acrididae (Short-horned Grasshoppers)
- Subfamily
- Oedipodinae
- Tribe
- Trimerotropini
- Genus
- Spharagemon
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Sandy areas, dunes, open woods.
Geographic Range
Southeastern coastal plain and much of Florida, extending north to New England and westward through parts of Great Lakes.
Seasonal Activity
Late summer to fall. July-October (North Carolina). July-September (Michigan). All year in Florida.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: At Words by William Whitaker , "marmorata" translates to "marbled".
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Spharagemon marmoratum. 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 Marbled Grasshopper (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Tony DiTerlizzi; Additional contributions by cotinis , David Ferguson
Frequently Asked Questions About Marbled Grasshopper
What is Marbled Grasshopper?
Marbled Grasshopper (Spharagemon marmoratum) is a species in the family Acrididae, within the order Orthoptera.
How big is Marbled Grasshopper?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Males | 26-31 mm |
| Females | 27-35 mm |
How do you identify Marbled Grasshopper?
Gray and brown, with strongly banded femora. Tibia are orange or red, pale yellowish ring at base. In flight, hindwings show a distinctive wide, curved, dark band. The Longhorn Bandwinged Grasshopper, Psinidia fenestralis is similar, has longer antennae. Hind tibiae are yellowish with black band. Found in similar habitats.
Where is Marbled Grasshopper found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Sandy areas, dunes, open woods. |
| Range | Southeastern coastal plain and much of Florida, extending north to New England and westward through parts of Great Lakes. |
When is Marbled Grasshopper active?
Marbled Grasshopper: seasonal activity - Late summer to fall. July-October (North Carolina). July-September (Michigan). All year in Florida..