BRN 9-3 - Flipbook - Page 25
ÒOccasionally individuals are green with fewer pale
contrasting markings, but still have bold contrasting black
markings on the hind femur. These closely resemble
eastern S. obscura, but usually have red hind tibiae. Their
appearance raises interesting questions about possible
hybridization, and they are often misidentiÞed.Ó
Schistocerca albolineata,
White-lined Bird Grasshopper
Whether they were green, brown, or black. Whether they
were tiny or huge (relatively). Whether they ßew or just
hopped. Whether they were very much alive or smashed on
your windshield. October and November 2025 was the time
of grasshoppers and they were everywhere.
Although the taxonomic boxes have been, more or less,
sorted at this point, which individuals belong in which boxes
is still unclear at times.
Strangely, the fact that there are so many did not make it
easier to identify any one individual to species. Turns out
there are a number of grasshopper species in this area, that
each instar can look different, very different, from its
predecessor or what comes next, and there are signiÞcant
regional and individual differences to contend with. Great
fun. WellÉ.
In an outing to Andrews (north of Animas Peak, by Copper
Flat) hiking companions noted the jewels ßying through the
sky. The wings of grasshoppers can glimmer in a variety of
colors as they plow through the air. Greens, turquoise-blue,
yellows, and reds seem to predominate but some are more
subtle.
I suspect that the individual shown above is Schistocerca
albolineata, White-lined Bird Grasshopper. It looks a lot
like S. obscura, the Obscure Bird Grasshopper, but note
the red hind tibiae.
In describing this species, BugGuide notes that it is "Similar
to S. lineata and venusta, but more contrastingly marked,
with bold dark bars on the hind femora. This species is dark
olive green or brown to black, with contrasting pale
yellowish markings, and bold contrasting markings on the
hind femora, with the hind tibiae red to black.
24
