Melanoplus rusticus
Identification 4
Initially might appear similar to M. scudderi or M. viridipes because of black lateral pronotal stripes and short oval wings, which are usually separate. Does not have the bright green legs of M. viridipes (though some female M. viridipes do not have very bright green legs). Tibiae greenish to bluish, not red like M. scudderi. Pronotum widens toward rear more than M. scudderi. If still in doubt, see BugGuide tips about the pronotum and male terminalia.
BugGuide lists this as complex, because more research is needed on determining species limits. It is possible that in the future it will be divided up like M. viridipes.
Resources 4
Blatchley, W.S., 1920. Orthoptera of northeastern America: with especial reference to the faunas of Indiana and Florida. Nature Publishing Company.
Occurrence 4
Knutson (1937) reported this species from Henry and Davis Counties in southeast Iowa. BugGuide has 5 from Allamakee, Winneshiek, Johnson, and Boone counties, indicating this species may occur throughout the eastern half of Iowa.
Habitat 4
According to Blatchley (1920), in Indiana, occurs in dry upland woodlands with relatively sparse vegetation, usually among beeches and oaks.
Sources and Credits
- (c) Cosmic Cat, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), https://picasaweb.google.com/103287385668597133920/October32015#6201624450252482146
- (c) aarongunnar, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by aarongunnar
- (c) C. A. Ivy, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by C. A. Ivy
- (c) Tyler Grant, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
