Melanoplus is a large genus of grasshoppers. They are the typical large grasshoppers (and in some cases migratory "locusts") in North America. A common name is spur-throat grasshoppers (also "spurthroat" or "spur-throated grasshoppers"), but this more typically refers to members of the related subfamily Catantopinae.
The largest grasshoppers of this genus can reach nearly 5 cm (2.0 in) in length, but most are smaller. Some are intricately patterned and colorful, others are drab.
Melanoplus species eat grasses of all kinds, as well as leafy and grassy agricultural crops and garden plants. They feed on the leaves, and sometimes fruit, flowers, and buds, as well as tree bark. Many of the more notable agricultural pest grasshoppers belong here, including the Rocky Mountain locust, the most significant insect pest of the 19th century Great Plains, but now extinct.[1]
^Samways, M. J. & Lockwood, J. A. (1998): "Orthoptera conservation: pests and paradoxes". Journal of Insect Conservation2(3–4): 143–149. doi:10.1023/A:1009652016332 (HTML abstract)
The Rocky Mountain locust (Melanoplus spretus) is an extinct species of grasshopper that ranged through the western half of the United States and some...
species Melanoplus sanguinipes: Melanoplus sanguinipes atlanis (Riley, 1875) i c g Melanoplus sanguinipes defectus Scudder, 1897 i c g Melanoplus sanguinipes...
The differential grasshopper (Melanoplus differentialis) is a species of grasshopper belonging to the genus Melanoplus. It is found throughout northern...
species Melanoplus punctulatus: Melanoplus punctulatus arboreus Scudder, 1897 i c g Melanoplus punctulatus griseus (Thomas, 1872) i c g Melanoplus punctulatus...
Melanoplus femurrubrum, the red-legged grasshopper, is a species of grasshopper belonging to the genus Melanoplus. It is one of the most common grasshoppers...
Melanoplus bivittatus, the two-striped grasshopper, is a poikilothermic species of grasshopper belonging to the genus Melanoplus. It is commonly found...
found in North America. "Melanoplus fasciatus Report". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2018-05-05. "Melanoplus fasciatus species details"...
These two subspecies belong to the species Melanoplus flavidus: Melanoplus flavidus elongatus b Melanoplus flavidus favidus b Data sources: i = ITIS,...
It is found in North America. "Melanoplus montanus Species Information". BugGuide.net. Retrieved 2018-02-06. "Melanoplus montanus Report". Integrated Taxonomic...
found in North America. "Melanoplus yarrowii Report". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2018-05-04. "Melanoplus yarrowii species details"...
found in North America. "Melanoplus nigrescens Report". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2018-05-05. "Melanoplus nigrescens species details"...
found in North America. "Melanoplus serrulatus Report". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2018-05-06. "Melanoplus serrulatus species details"...
found in North America. "Melanoplus tuberculatus Report". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2018-05-04. "Melanoplus tuberculatus species...
to the species Melanoplus borealis: Melanoplus borealis borealis (Fieber, 1853) i Melanoplus borealis palaceus Fulton, 1930 i Melanoplus borealis stupefactus...
found in North America. "Melanoplus angustipennis Report". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2018-05-05. "Melanoplus angustipennis species...
found in North America. "Melanoplus bruneri Report". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2018-05-06. "Melanoplus bruneri species details"...
subspecies belong to the species Melanoplus rileyanus: Melanoplus rileyanus rileyanus Scudder, 1897 i c g Melanoplus rileyanus varicus Scudder, 1879 i...
found in North America. "Melanoplus devius Report". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2018-04-29. "Melanoplus devius species details"...
found in North America. "Melanoplus gracilipes Report". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2018-04-28. "Melanoplus gracilipes species details"...
found in North America. "Melanoplus tumidicercus Report". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2018-05-05. "Melanoplus tumidicercus species...
subspecies belong to the species Melanoplus bowditchi: Melanoplus bowditchi bowditchi Scudder, 1878 i c g Melanoplus bowditchi canus Hebard, 1925 i c...
found in North America. "Melanoplus eumera Report". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2018-04-26. "Melanoplus eumera species details"...
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