Florida is menage to various species of grasshoppers , each with its own unique characteristics . In this guide , we ’ll explore 20 distinguishable types of hopper found in the state , including their identifying feature and home ground .
Different Types of Grasshoppers in Florida
Mischievous Bird Grasshopper (Schistocerca damnifica)
The Mischievous Bird Grasshopper is a smaller member of the Bird Grasshoppers , often found in the easterly United States , including Florida . Females grow to 3.7–4.6 atomic number 96 , while male person are smaller at 2.5–2.9 cm . They are recognized by their reddish - brown soundbox and a narrow-minded brown line running along their school principal and pronotum .
Unlike other Bird Grasshoppers , they miss the large yellow dorsal stripe . This , combine with their smaller size , helps distinguish them from other species in theSchistocercagenus .
American Bird Grasshopper (Schistocerca americana)
One of the enceinte grasshoppers in Florida , the American Bird Grasshopper measures 4.8–6.8 cm in females and 3.9–5.2 cm in males . These grasshoppers are widespread in North America and are particularly abundant in the eastern U.S.
They have a yellowish - browned body with pale wing stud with drear dark-brown spots . Nymphs look entirely different from the adults , undergoing substantial variety in color as they suppurate . Both sexes have powerful wing and a rich build , making them strong flyer .
Obscure Bird Grasshopper (Schistocerca obscura)
Obscure Bird Grasshoppers are commonly regain in theater and undefendable woodlands in the eastern U.S. Females are typically larger , turn up to 6.5 centimeter , while males reach out up to 4.5 cm . They are green with a pale - icteric dorsal stripe that run along their length . Their olive - green forewings occasionally sport brownish touch , especially in female person .
They are often fuddle with the Rusty Bird Grasshopper but are larger in size . The Obscure Bird Grasshopper ’s color help it blend in with vegetation , providing effectual camouflage .
Rosemary Grasshopper (Schistocerca ceratiola)
refer for their penchant for hiding in rosemary bushes , Rosemary Grasshoppers are unique to Florida . Females grow to 3.6–4 cm , while males are slightly smaller at 2.8–3.2 cm . Their slim bodies are mottled grey and brown , with a greenish hue on the belly . A faded wan vertical stripe rill along their consistency , becoming less seeable near the wings .
These grasshoppers are nocturnal , which makes them more difficult to spot during the daylight .
Rusty Bird Grasshopper (Schistocerca alutacea)
Rusty Bird Grasshoppers are commonly found across the United States , including Florida . Females develop up to 5.4 cm , and males reach about 4 centimeter . They are name for their rusty browned or golden body , although coloring variations exist , such as Olea europaea - brown with a vertical yellowish stripe .
These grasshoppers are often false for Obscure Bird Grasshoppers but are smaller and have different genital nick . The Rusty Bird Grasshopper ’s U - shaped sub - venereal plate facilitate differentiate it from like species .
Oak Spurthroat Grasshopper (Melanoplus querneus)
Also know as the Larger Sandhill Grasshopper , the Oak Spurthroat Grasshopper is feel in moist environments with tall botany . female contact 4 cm , while male arise up to 2.7 cm . These flightless grasshoppers have a brown consistency with yellowish or grayish marking on their forewings and upper parts .
They have short wings that do not aid in flight . A dark grade insignia runs between their optic and pronotum , though it can be faint . Both sex activity have standardised appearances , but females are somewhat larger .
Florida Spur-throat Grasshopper (Melanoplus puer)
Endemic to Florida , the Florida Spur - throat Grasshopper is one of the smallest in its genus , with females gain 2.1 centimetre and males only 1.6 cm . These grasshopper are reddish - browned with a greyish or purplish hue on their dorsal side and xanthous - brownish bottom . The males are distinguished by a shiny - black stripe behind their eyes , which is abstracted in female person .
They primarily dwell wiregrass patch in open forest and are easily overlooked due to their small size .
Migratory Grasshopper (Melanoplus sanguinipes)
Migratory Grasshoppers are widespread across North America , preferring crop fields and weedy pastures . Females spring up to 2.9 centimeter , and males reach out about 2.4 centimetre . They are known for their behavioral changes when population denseness rise , like to locusts . They travel in large groups , moving across vast length .
These grasshopper are greyish - browned with a boldblack stripefrom their eyes to their pronotum . Their forewings are long , brown , and spotted . Both sexes are similar , with males being slightly smaller .
Larger Fork-Tailed Grasshopper (Melanoplus furcatus)
The Larger Fork - Tailed Grasshopper , also know as the Fork - Tailed Locust , is often found in dense shrubbery near swamps and streams . female are 3.9 centimetre , while male are 3.1 centimeter in length . They have a brown body with occasional reddish tints , and their wings grow darker near the base . The females have a furcula , which the males miss .
Their habitat preferences near water help them blend into their milieu , make up them harder to detect .
Longheaded Toothpick Grasshopper (Achurum carinatum)
These slender grasshoppers are named for their elongated head . Females measure 4 centimetre , and males are smaller at 3.6 cm . They inhabit pine flatwoods , tall sens , and pond margin across the southeast U.S. Longheaded Toothpick Grasshoppers have a dark-brown body with a grayish shade , while their legs and fore-wing are partly dark-green .
They are flightless and possess short forewings . Their slanting fount and blade - like antennae make them easily recognizable , and both sexes partake in similar features .
Elegant Grasshopper (Dichromorpha elegans)
refined Grasshoppers inhabit moist environments like salt marsh and swamps . Females grow to 2.8 cm , and males up to 2.1 curium . They have a grass - green or brown body with a slanted face and a large , rounded head . Two disconsolate streak run between their eyes and forewings . Males are smaller and more slender than female person , which are bulky .
Despite their name , their appearing is more functional than elegant , help them blend into their wetland habitat .
Glassy-Winged Toothpick Grasshopper (Stenacris vitreipennis)
These lithesome , elongated grasshoppers are found in semi - aquatic vegetation like pickerelweed and cattails . Females grow to 2.9 centimetre , and male are more or less belittled at 2.6 cm . Their unripe or brownish - light-green bodies have a dark or pallid dorsal stripe .
Both sexes look likewise , but female person are gravid . Their pointed heads and brand - alike transmitting aerial help identify them from other specie . They are adept at camouflage themselves in aquatic vegetation .
Spotted-Winged Grasshopper (Orphulella pelidna)
Spotted - wing Grasshoppers are one of the most widespread metal money in Florida . Females measure 2.8 curium , and males are slenderly smaller at 2.5 atomic number 96 . Their appearance varies , but they commonly have brownish or unripe bodies with black triangular marks on their pronotum .
Their fore wing have a serial publication of orthogonal topographic point , which yield them their name . These grasshoppers are good at flux into their surroundings , make them difficult to descry in tall pot .
Clipped-Wing Grasshopper (Metaleptea brevicornis)
Found near water body , Clipped - Wing Grasshoppers are unique to the U.S. Females are larger at 5.3 centimetre , while males are 3.8 curium . They have brown or green bodies , with Male typically have a brown upper consistence and immature sides .
Their sword - shaped antennae are rusty Robert Brown , and their angled fore-wing severalise them from other long - fly grasshoppers in Florida . They are often seen in improbable Gunter Grass near river and pool .
Wrinkled Grasshopper (Hippiscus ocelote)
The wrinkly Grasshopper is a robust mintage with female person growing up to 5.3 cm and males to 4 curium . regain in states like Florida , Colorado , and New Jersey , they are muscular aviator but move clumsily when carrying orchis . Their grey or brown bodies have coarse , wrinkle pronotums , which give them their name .
They are recognizable by the two scandalmongering spots on their pronotum and an X - shaped marking on their bodies . Their annexe are translucent with dark veining .
Short-Winged Green Grasshopper (Dichromorpha viridis)
The Short - Winged Green Grasshopper , also call the Green Slant - faced Grasshopper , is found in eastern U.S. fields , pastures , and roadsides . female are larger , measure 3 cm , while males develop up to 2.2 cm . They are sexually dimorphic , with female being more uniformly green or brownish . Males have a salmagundi of coloring phase , including greenish with brown side or light brown with darker side of meat .
This species prefers grassy habitats and is well - camouflaged in its surroundings .
Green-Striped Grasshopper (Chortophaga viridifasciata)
The Green - Striped Grasshopper live moist environment , such as pastures and field . Females , at 3.8 cm , are gravid than males , which get up to 3 curium . Females are immature , while males are typically dark-brown with darker markings . Both sex have xanthous wing , and a green or brown streak runs down their back .
This species is sexually dimorphous , with males and females display significant size of it and colouration differences .
Southeastern Lubber Grasshopper (Romalea microptera)
The Southeastern Lubber Grasshopper , or Florida Lubber , is one of the most iconic grasshoppers in the southeast U.S. They are large , flightless hopper , produce up to 8 centimeter . Their bodies vary from contraband with lily-livered or blood-red grade insignia to bright orange with black spots . Despite their large size , their diminished wings are non - functional , and they move clumsily .
This species is toxic to predators , liberate a foul - smelling foam when threatened . landsman are often found in gardens and fields , wee-wee them one of the most familiar species in Florida .
