American Bird Grasshopper
Schistocerca americana -- male
The American Bird Grasshopper is a migrant that rarely reaches our area in late summer or early fall. Two days with massive south winds this past week probably aided this powerful flyer more commonly associated with the south.
In 8-9 years of looking this is only the 2nd one I've seen in our area so it was a special delight to find this one in our yard - and - it was so cool this individual was sluggish and posable. I've seen this species both in SC and TX and both times they were impossible to get close too - quickly flying up to perch in tall trees.
The American Bird Grasshopper's two most closely related cousins are the two most destructive grasshoppers on earth. One found in north Africa and the other in South America. Think "locust" and "plague". This species in contrast is not a problem.
American Bird Grasshopper
Schistocerca americana -- male
The American Bird Grasshopper is a migrant that rarely reaches our area in late summer or early fall. Two days with massive south winds this past week probably aided this powerful flyer more commonly associated with the south.
In 8-9 years of looking this is only the 2nd one I've seen in our area so it was a special delight to find this one in our yard - and - it was so cool this individual was sluggish and posable. I've seen this species both in SC and TX and both times they were impossible to get close too - quickly flying up to perch in tall trees.
The American Bird Grasshopper's two most closely related cousins are the two most destructive grasshoppers on earth. One found in north Africa and the other in South America. Think "locust" and "plague". This species in contrast is not a problem.