Grasshoppers of Wyoming and the West
Entomology
Northern Grasshopper
Melanoplus borealis (Fieber)
Melanoplus borealis, the northern (spurthroated) grasshopper, is confined to the higher forested areas
and to areas above timberline in Wyoming. It prefers moist alpine areas and marshy
meadows. In recent years it has been especially common in the Big Horn Mountains.
Eggs overwinter in the soil and may require two years to hatch. Adults are present
in August and September. This species is a mixed feeder that has a distinct preference
for lupine. It may aid in controlling abundance of this poisonous plant.
Ref: Gurney and Brooks 1959, and Capinera and Sechrist 1982.
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