Habitat
Adults: terrestrial
Immatures: terrestrial

Feeding Habits
Adults: phytophagous
Immatures: phytophagous

North American
Species: 600

Orthoptera Acrididae
Short-horned grasshoppers

Special Characteristics: Acrididae are small to large insects, varying from short and stout to long and slender. They are usually gray, brownish or green in colour, some have brightly coloured hind wings. The front and hind wings are fully developed or totally lacking. The ovipositor is short.

Comments: Acrididae are plant feeders, and they are often very destructive to vegetation. This family includes most of the grasshoppers that are common in meadows and along roadsides from mid-summer to fall and also the majority of economically important grasshoppers and all true locusts. Males sing during the day by rubbing the inner surface of the hind femur against the lower edge of the front wing. Acrididae detect sounds using a membrane called the tympanum on each side of the first abdominal segment.

Species:
Melanoplus sanguinipes (Fabricius)

Common Name:
Migratory grasshopper

Distribution:
Widespread in Canada

Comments:
This is the most important pest species of grasshopper in western Canada; it often attacks cereal crops. It can fly long distances and can tolerate a wide range of temperature, humidity, and other climatic conditions. Because of this it has been able to colonize a wide range of habitats from sea level to mountains.