Seaside Grasshopper
Trimerotropis maritima
Identification 3
Speckled. Reddish hind tibiae. Yellow wings with broad black band and clear tip. Crepitation (buzzing in flight) is relatively loud and harsh, somewhat like running your finger across a comb. Compare carefully with Spharagemon collare (Mottled Sand Grasshopper). S. collare has a higher pronotal crest cut once while T. maritima has a lower pronotal crest cut twice. The two cuts can be very subtle. Look for sulci (seams or small trenches in the pronotum) that cross/cut the pronotal crest. Arphia conspersa and Psinidia fenestralis may also seem similar.
Occurrence 3
Could probably be encountered anywhere in the state that habitat is suitable. Knutson (1937) reported this species in 6 counties. He reported it as numerous on Mississippi River sand banks. BugGuide has records from Polk and Allamakee Counties. SCAN has many records from around the state. iNaturalist has no records yet.
Habitat 3
Sandy areas. Beaches, sandy river banks, etc., possibly fallow fields.
Sources and Credits
- (c) Fyn Kynd, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Fyn Kynd
- (c) Sam Kieschnick, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Sam Kieschnick
- (c) Tyler Grant, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
