Schistocerca nitens, the vagrant grasshopper, was found in one locale in 2007. A large species with the
capability of long distance flight, it is certainly able to travel from its permanent
home range in the southern regions of CA, AZ, NM, TX, and Mexico to Wyoming. It is
doubtful that it could establish in Wyoming due to our long winters. In the lab, this
species' eggs do not have an obligate diapause so they would probably hatch into bad
weather and die out. This species is a mixed feeder and will feed on diverse plants
such as cotton, alfalfa, citrus, and banana.
Ref: Richman et al., 1993.
