# North American Spur-throated Grasshoppers (*Melanoplus*) North American Spur-throated Grasshoppers are small, jumping insects that love to hop around in fields and meadows. They are known for their unique spurs on their throats, which help them make sounds. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![North American Spur-throated Grasshoppers](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Melanoplus_femurrubrum_20070903.jpg&width=800) Photo: Gilles Gonthier, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Melanoplus_femurrubrum_20070903.jpg) ## Appearance The North American Spur-throated Grasshoppers is a robust insect, typically mottled green, brown, or yellowish to blend perfectly with vegetation. It has a distinctive spine or tubercle on its prosternum, located between its front legs. Its powerful hind legs are adapted for jumping, often with visible ridges. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Orthoptera - **Family:** Acrididae - **Genus:** Melanoplus ## Interesting facts - Baby grasshoppers, called nymphs, look like tiny adults but don't have wings yet! - Some grasshoppers can lay their eggs underground, staying safe through the winter. - Their blood is not red like ours; it's a greenish fluid called hemolymph! - These grasshoppers have ears on their belly, one on each side, just behind their legs! ## Special abilities - **Super Jumper:** North American Spur-throated Grasshoppers can leap over 20 times their own body length because of powerful muscles in their large hind legs. - **Nature's Camouflage:** North American Spur-throated Grasshoppers has varied coloration that helps them blend perfectly into their grassy surroundings, hiding from predators. - **Chirping Communicator:** North American Spur-throated Grasshoppers can 'sing' by rubbing their hind legs against their wings to attract mates or warn others. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 25-80 mm - **Size:** 15-40 mm - **Lifespan:** 60-120 days - **Flight Speed:** 15 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These grasshoppers munch on plants, especially grasses and leaves, helping cycle plant matter in nature. - **Primary Foods:** grasses, clover, broad-leaf plants, alfalfa, wheat - **Foraging Method:** Grazing ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [American Kestrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-kestrel) (*Falco sparverius*) — A common bird of prey that hunts them. - **Eats:** [Kentucky Bluegrass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/kentucky-bluegrass) (*Poa pratensis*) — A common food source for these grasshoppers. - **Eaten by:** Northern Leopard Frog (*Rana pipiens*) — An amphibian predator found in their habitat. ## Traits - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low It's best to watch grasshoppers from a distance so you don't scare them away. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify North American Spur-throated Grasshoppers? 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 is North American Spur-throated Grasshoppers's wingspan? 25-80 mm ### How big is North American Spur-throated Grasshoppers? 15-40 mm ### How long does North American Spur-throated Grasshoppers live? 60-120 days ### How fast can North American Spur-throated Grasshoppers fly? 15 km/h ### What does North American Spur-throated Grasshoppers eat? These grasshoppers munch on plants, especially grasses and leaves, helping cycle plant matter in nature. ### Where is North American Spur-throated Grasshoppers usually found? Grasslands ### How does North American Spur-throated Grasshoppers hunt? Grazing ## 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: [North American Spur-throated Grasshoppers Facts — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/north-american-spur-throated-grasshoppers)