Scudder’s short-wing grasshopper

IUCN Red List

not listed
LC - Least Concern

NatureServe

not listed
N5 - Secure
NNR - Unranked
SNR - Unranked
SNA - Not applicable

Minnesota

not listed

Scudder’s short-wing grasshopper is a medium-sized spur-throated grasshopper. It occurs in the United States east of the Great Plains, and in southern Ontario Canada. It is the most common short-winged Melanoplus in this area. It is uncommon in Minnesota, where it is at the northwest extent of its range. Nymphs are found in spring and early summer. Adults are found from August through November in dry to moderately moist, open, shrubby and weedy areas, and in woodland edges and openings.

Adults are dull brown or reddish-brown. Females are ⅝″ to 1⅛″ (16 to 28 mm) long. Males are smaller, 9⁄16″ to 15⁄16″ (14.5 to 24.2 mm) long.

The head is slightly wider than the exoskeletal plate covering the thorax (pronotum). The top of the head (vertex) is rounded in profile. The face is vertical. The antennae have 22 segments beyond the basal segments (scape and pedicel), and are no more than ½ the length of the body. There is usually a moderately to well-developed dark stripe behind each compound eye that continues on the pronotum to the second abdominal segment, but this is sometimes indistinct or absent.

The pronotum is broadly convex above when viewed from the front, and is slightly ridged (keeled). It does not project over the abdomen. The shoulders are distinct and broadly rounded. The rear (posterior) margin is broadly rounded. There is a distinct, spiny bump (spur) at the base of the neck, between the base of the forelegs.

There is a pair of flat, round, hearing organs (tympani) on the sides of the first abdominal segment. The lower end plate beneath the genitalia (the subgenital plate) is bulbous. On the male, the top edge of the subgenital plate abruptly curves upward. The sensory appendages at the end of the abdomen (cerci) are roughly boot shaped. On the female the ovipositor is short.

The forewings (tegmina) are egg-shaped and short, usually extending just to the forward edge of the second abdominal segment. They may be shorter or slightly longer than the pronotum. The inner margins overlap or are only slightly separated. The tegmina are unmarked and uniformly dark. The hindwings are clear.

On the hind pair of legs, the outer face of the robust, third segment (femur) is not banded. The upper (dorsal) face usually has two dark spots. The fourth segment (tibia) is red and has a row of 12 or 13 spines. The spines, at least at the tip, are black. On all of the legs, the end section corresponding to the foot (tarsus) has three segments.

Size

Male: 9⁄16″ to 15⁄16″ (14.5 to 24.2 mm)

Female: ⅝″ to 1⅛″ (16 to 28 mm)

Similar Species

Dry to moderately moist, open, shrubby and weedy areas, woodland edges and openings

Season

August to November

Behavior

Life Cycle

Nymph Food

Adult Food

Broad-leaved plants