Red-legged Grasshopper (Melanoplus femurrubrum) © David H Small (iNaturalist)
The Red-legged Grasshopper is common and widespread over most of North America except for high mountain altitudes and the frigid north. It is the most widely distributed species of the major crop grasshoppers and is probably the commonest, most nearly ubiquitous “grasshopper” found in New England.
Considered a crop pest, the Red-legged Grasshopper is found in upland as well as lowland pastures, meadows, roadsides, low ground, cultivated fields as well as old fields, margins of woods and open woodlands. Active in daytime, it feeds on a wide variety of forbs and on several kinds of grasses.
Conservation Status
Vermont:
Global: G5
Phenology
Adults are seen from late spring or summer until frost. Observations in iNaturalist peak in September.
More Information
- iNaturalist Species Account
- BugGuide Species Account
- Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin
- Vermont Atlas of Life Data Explorer
Vermont Distribution
All Records:
