Orthoptera of North Carolina
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View Acrididae Members: NC Records

Stenacris vitreipennis (Marschall, 1836) - Glassy-winged Toothpick Grasshopper

Taxonomy
Family: Acrididae Subfamily: Leptysminae Tribe: Leptysmini
Comments: One of six species in this genus and the only one that occurs in North America north of Mexico (Roberts, 1977). Both Stenacris and Leptysma belong to Tribe Leptysmini of the subfamily Leptyminae.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Capinera et al. (2004)Online Photographs: BugGuide, Google Images,  iNaturalist, GBIFTechnical Description, Adults/Nymphs: Blatchely (1920); Rehn and Eades (1961); Roberts (1971)                                                                                  
Comments: An elongate, narrow-bodied "toothpick" grasshopper. The color is a fairly dark green, with a prominent ivory lateral stripe, running from the eye to the sides of the abdomen. The wings are dark green and sharply acuminate. Leptysma marginicollis is similar but usually has brownish or yellowish shading but is best distinguished by the structural features described below.
Total Length [body plus wings; excludes ovipositor]: 27-28.1 mm, males; 32.7-33.4 mm, females (NC specimens, Rehn and Eades, 1961)Forewing Length: 24-25.5 mm, males; 27.8-28.7, females (NC specimens, Rehn and Eades, 1961)
Structural Features: The head is shorter than the pronotum in this species but longer in Leptysma (Blatchely 1923). The antennae are narrow rather than flattened and ensiform as in Leptysma. The fastigium is much shorter than in Leptysma, more rounded (more acute in males), and lacks a median, dorsal groove. Males possess large lateral lobes on the subgenital plate, unlike other members of this tribe (Roberts, 1977).
Distribution in North Carolina
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Adult Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: This species is generally more confined to wetland habitats than Leptysma marginicollis and is found more typically in the emergent vegetation of deeper waters (Rehn and Eades, 1961). Blatchley (1923) noted that this species can be common around Pickerel Weed and he cites Hebard as saying it can be abundant in cattail marshes Our records for this species come mainly from pond and lakes, particularly where Maidencane (Hymenachne hemitoma) grows in the inshore waters.
Diet: Herbivorous on emergent wetland and pond vegetation
Observation Methods: Often flies long distances when flushed, unlike Leptysma marginicollis, which usuallly stays put. Frequently takes shelter in shrubs rather than returning to the low herbaceous vegetation where it normally resides.
Abundance/Frequency:
Adult Phenology: Adults overwinter
See also Habitat Account for Coastal Plain Herbaceous Ponds and Sloughs
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status: W3
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G5 S1S3
State Protection:
Comments:

Image Gallery for Stenacris vitreipennis - Glassy-winged Toothpick Grasshopper

Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Jones Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Ed Corey
Columbus Co.
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Recorded by: Ed Corey
New Hanover Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: E. Corey
Bladen Co.
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