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Carolina Grasshopper
(John Obermeyer, Purdue University)

Common Name: Carolina Grasshopper

Order: Orthoptera

Family: Acrididae

Pest Status: Grasshoppers are known to occur in high numbers following very dry conditions. When in large numbers, serious damage to plants, including crops, can occur.

Appearance: Carolina grasshoppers have tan, brown, or gray bodies that are faintly speckled. The hind wing is black with a pale yellow margin.

Life Cycle: In late summer, females lay large clusters of eggs in the soil at a depth of 1 1/2-inches. The eggs hatch and nymphs develop over a period of at least two weeks in a habitat of grass and weeds.

Where to Collect: In the morning, Carolina grasshoppers can be found sunning themselves on bare ground or dirt paths. As temperatures increase, the grasshoppers climb on vegetation, most often one to three inches above ground.