This native grasshopper is extremely adaptable, and found throughout most of North America. It is found in every state in the continental United States, and in every province in Canada. It is absent from only the northernmost, coldest regions of Canada, and from southern Florida and Texas. Its distribution does not extend south into Mexico.
Life History
In most areas of its range, migratory grasshopper produces a single generation, and overwinters in the egg stage. However, in southern portions of its range two generations may occur annually. Eggs hatch relatively early, usually beginning in early June but about a week after twostriped grasshopper, Melanoplus bivittatus (Say) begins to hatch. Hatching is protracted and may require up to six weeks in an area, resulting in asynchronous development of the population. Early hatching individuals mature early in the summer and have adequate time for reproduction whereas late-hatching individuals are handicapped by the onset of cold weather.
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References
Capinera JL, Scott RD, Walker TJ (2004) Field guide to the grasshoppers, katydids, and crickets of the United States. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY, 249 pp
Parker JR, Newton RC, Shotwell RL (1955) Observations on mass flights and other activities of the migratory grasshopper. USDA Tech Bull 1109, 46 pp
Parker JR (1930) Some effects of temperature and moisture upon Melanoplus mexicanus Saussure and Camnula pellucida Scudder (Orthoptera). Mont AES Bull 223, 132 pp
Pfadt RE (1949) Food plants as factors in the ecology of the lesser migratory grasshopper, Melanoplus mexicanus (Sauss.). Wyoming Agri Exp Stat Bull 290, 51 pp
Pfadt RE (2002) Field guide to common western grass hoppers. Wyoming Agri Exp Stat Bull 912, 288 pp
Shotwell RL (1930) A study of the lesser migratory grass hopper. USDA Tech Bull 190, 34 pp
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Capinera, J.L. (2008). Migratory Grasshopper, Melanoplus sanguinipes (Fabricius) (Orthoptera: Acrididae). In: Capinera, J.L. (eds) Encyclopedia of Entomology. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-6359-6_4618
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