Graceful Grasshopper
Melanoplus gracilis
Identification 6
The femora are bright green with no markings (males sometimes have a hint of banding on the inside). The wings are very small and well separated. The similar Melanoplus viridipes has banded femurs and short wings that just touch at the midline.
Resources 6
Blatchley, W. S. 1920. Orthoptera of Northeastern America: With Especial Reference to the Faunas of Indiana and Florida. Nature Publishing Company, Indianapolis, IN. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/bibliography/1700
Occurrence 6
Probably statewide because it occurs in nearly all surrounding states. Knutson (1937) reported it from only 4 counties. I initially thought this species rare in Iowa, but have since found it in many places, usually in forest edge or forest opening type habitats.
Habitat 6
Forest edge, forest openings, sometimes in sparse forest floor vegetation. According to Blatchley (1920), prefers wooded blue grass pastures and often found on iron weed (Vernonia sp.), pathways through woods, and tall grass in ravines or near sloughs.
Sources and Credits
- (c) John P Friel, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by John P Friel
- (c) Jeff Skrentny, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Jeff Skrentny
- (c) C. A. Ivy, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by C. A. Ivy
- (c) Martin R. Lucas, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Martin R. Lucas
- (c) Paul Winn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Paul Winn
- (c) Tyler Grant, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
