Glassy-winged Toothpick Grasshopper
Stenacris vitreipennis
This record describes Stenacris vitreipennis (species). Recorded family: Acrididae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Green to brownish green, long, slender, pointed head,sword-shaped antennae. Has spine beneath head in front of forelegs, distinguishing it from somewhat similar slant-faced grasshoppers, subfamily Gomphocerinae .
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Caelifera
- Family
- Acrididae (Short-horned Grasshoppers)
- Subfamily
- Leptysminae
- Genus
- Stenacris
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Semiaquatic vegetation such as cattails ( Typha spp.) and Pickerelweed ( Pontederia cordata ).
Geographic Range
Southern Atlantic and Gulf coastal plain: North Carolina to Florida, west and south through southern Texas and Mexico to Costa Rica.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Adults overwinter.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author is Marschall, 1836.
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Stenacris vitreipennis. 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 Glassy-winged Toothpick Grasshopper (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Eric R. Eaton; Additional contributions by cotinis , Robin McLeod , David Ferguson , metrioptera
Frequently Asked Questions About Glassy-winged Toothpick Grasshopper
What is Glassy-winged Toothpick Grasshopper?
Glassy-winged Toothpick Grasshopper (Stenacris vitreipennis) is a species in the family Acrididae, within the order Orthoptera.
How big is Glassy-winged Toothpick Grasshopper?
males 24-30 mm; females 27-40 mm
How do you identify Glassy-winged Toothpick Grasshopper?
Green to brownish green, long, slender, pointed head,sword-shaped antennae. Has spine beneath head in front of forelegs, distinguishing it from somewhat similar slant-faced grasshoppers, subfamily Gomphocerinae .
Where is Glassy-winged Toothpick Grasshopper found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Semiaquatic vegetation such as cattails ( Typha spp.) and Pickerelweed ( Pontederia cordata ). |
| Range | Southern Atlantic and Gulf coastal plain: North Carolina to Florida, west and south through southern Texas and Mexico to Costa Rica. |
What is the life cycle of a Glassy-winged Toothpick Grasshopper?
Adults overwinter.