# Green-Striped Grasshopper (*chortophaga viridifasciata*) The Green-Striped Grasshopper is a fascinating orthopteran widely distributed across North America. Often among the very first grasshoppers to emerge in the spring, it overwinters as a late-stage nymph rather than an egg, giving it a major head start as soon as temperatures begin to rise. This species exhibits striking sexual dimorphism and color polymorphism, making it a highly variable and intriguing subject for nature spotters. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Typically found in sunny, open areas with short grass, such as pastures, fields, roadsides, and suburban lawns. ![Green-Striped Grasshopper](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/272005395/medium.jpg) Photo: OakleyOriginals, CC BY 4.0 · [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/272005395) ## Appearance This medium-sized grasshopper ranges from 2 to 4 cm in length, with females being significantly larger than males. They display a distinct high ridge on the pronotum (the shield behind the head) cut by a single small notch. Coloration is highly polymorphic: females are typically bright green with a brown stripe on each forewing, while males are mostly brown with pale markings. In flight, their hind wings reveal a clear to pale-yellow base with a smoky dark band along the outer margin, spanning 4 to 7 cm. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Orthoptera - **Family:** Acrididae - **Genus:** Chortophaga ## Interesting facts - The crackling sound they make in flight is called crepitation and is produced by the snapping of their wings, not by rubbing their legs together. - The green-striped grasshopper is often the very first grasshopper you will see in the spring, sometimes emerging while there is still snow on the ground. - Their color is highly influenced by temperature and humidity during development; cooler, wetter conditions tend to produce more green individuals, while dry conditions yield brown ones. ## Special abilities - **Crepitating Flight:** Males can produce a loud, dry crackling sound during flight by snapping their hind wings together, which is used for territory defense and mate attraction. - **Dynamic Color Polymorphism:** Their coloration is influenced by environmental moisture and temperature during development, allowing them to match the surrounding green spring foliage or dry summer grasses. - **Overwintering Survival:** They survive freezing winter temperatures as active nymphs rather than eggs, allowing them to become active on warm winter days and emerge early in spring. ## Measurements & details - **Clutch Size:** 20+ - **Incubation:** 15+ days ## Diet & Feeding Feeds almost exclusively on various grasses and herbaceous plants, preferring succulent green leaves and tender shoots. - **Age differences:** Nymphs and adults consume similar plant matter, though younger nymphs prefer softer, tender young shoots. - **Primary Foods:** Kentucky Bluegrass, Crabgrass, Clover, Dandelion leaves - **Foraging Method:** Grazing ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [American Kestrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-kestrel) (*Falco sparverius*) — Serves as a major prey item during the spring and summer breeding seasons. - **Host plant:** [Kentucky Bluegrass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/kentucky-bluegrass) (*Poa pratensis*) — Feeds primarily on this widespread grass species. - **Eaten by:** [Chinese Mantis](https://www.snappit.app/explore/chinese-mantis) (*Tenodera sinensis*) — An opportunistic insect predator that hunts grasshoppers in grassy fields. ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Green-Striped Grasshopper? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What does Green-Striped Grasshopper eat? Feeds almost exclusively on various grasses and herbaceous plants, preferring succulent green leaves and tender shoots. ### Where is Green-Striped Grasshopper usually found? Typically found in sunny, open areas with short grass, such as pastures, fields, roadsides, and suburban lawns. ### How does Green-Striped Grasshopper hunt? Grazing ### How many eggs does Green-Striped Grasshopper lay? 20+ ### How long do Green-Striped Grasshopper eggs take to hatch? 15+ days ## Where to spot - [Ames Nowell State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ames-nowell-state-park) — Massachusetts, US · State Park - [Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/wachusett-meadow-wildlife-sanctuary) — Massachusetts, US · Nature Reserve - [Sheridan County Courthouse](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sheridan-county-courthouse) — Nebraska, US · Historic Site [View all places to see Green-Striped Grasshopper](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/green-striped-grasshopper) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Green-Striped Grasshopper: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/green-striped-grasshopper)