Orthoptera of North Carolina
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View Acrididae Members: NC Records

Melanoplus confusus Scudder, 1897 - Pasture Grasshopper


Male
Taxonomy
Family: Acrididae Subfamily: Melanoplinae Tribe: Melanoplini
Comments: Melanoplus is our largest genus of Orthopterans, with over 350 species occurring in North America (Cigliano et al., 2017). 38 species have been recorded in North Carolina.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Photographs: BugGuide, Google Images,  iNaturalist, GBIF                                                                                  
Total Length [body plus wings; excludes ovipositor]: 16-18 mm, males; 19-24 mm, females (Blatchley, 1920)
Structural Features: Male cerci are boot-shaped: broad at the base with a ventral "heel" and a rounded, somewhat concave, and twisted "toe" at the apex. Melanoplus keeleri has somewhat similar cerci, but the heel has a more acute angle and the apex is not as flattened or twisted; the subgenital plate is also less elevated than in keeleri and has a smaller, narrower apex
Structural photos
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
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Diet:
Observation Methods:
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Adult Phenology:
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G5 SH
State Protection:
Comments:

Image Gallery for Melanoplus confusus - Pasture Grasshopper

Recorded by: B.B. Fulton
McDowell Co.
Comment: NCSU Insect Museum specimen		 Recorded by: B.B. Fulton
Alleghany Co.
Comment: NCSU Insect Museum specimen
Recorded by: B.B. Fulton
Alleghany Co.
Comment: