Grasshoppers of Wyoming and the West
Entomology
Pasture Grasshopper
Melanoplus confusus Scudder
Melanoplus confusus, the pasture grasshopper, is common throughout the rangelands of Wyoming. It appears
to be most abundant in the mixed and shortgrass prairies of the north and east. Eggs
overwinter in the soil and hatch in early spring. Adults are present from early June
to July. This species is a mixed feeder but prefers forbs such as wild buckwheat and
ragweed. Because it occurs early in the year, any damage to rangeland forage is minimal.
Ref: Pfadt 1989, and Capinera and Sechrist 1982.
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