Green-striped Grasshopper (Orthoptera of Iowa)

Green-striped Grasshopper

Chortophaga viridifasciata

Identification ⁶

Plain green or brown. Females are more often green and males are more often brown. Has a stripe through the eye that divides it into a lighter top half and darker lower half. The crest down the middle of the pronotum is about equal height for its full length (or slightly higher towards the midpoint) and is subtly cut once. The top of the pronotal crest appears polished along its entire length. The posterior angle of the pronotum is acute, i.e., the rear of the pronotum is rather pointed. Hind wings are translucent yellow at the base, shifting to translucent gray outer areas. Brown individuals typically have barred hind femorae, but green individuals do not.

Overwinters as nymphs so adults appear primarily in the spring.

Arphia species can appear similar and can also appear in the spring, however, the eye is not so light and dark and the pronotal crest is different.

Resources ⁶

Grasshoppers of the Western U.S.: http://idtools.org/id/grasshoppers/factsheet.php?name=13384

Otte, D., 1984. The North American Grasshoppers, Vol. II. Acrididae. Oedipodinae. Harvard University Press.

Capinera, J.L., R.D. Scott, and T.J. Walker. 2004. Field Guide to Grasshoppers, Katydids, and Crickets of the United States. Cornell University Press.

Occurrence ⁶

Statewide. I've noticed this species at most parks I have visited in Iowa.
Widely distributed across the U.S. east of the Rockies.

Habitat ⁶

Often found in fresh spring grass less than a foot high, in roadsides, fields, yards, etc.

Sources and Credits

More Info

iNat Map

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