Types Of Grasshoppers In Tennessee

Tennessee pastures attract the southern green-striped grasshopper during warm, wet seasons. If you are looking for a clear guide to the types of grasshoppers in Tennessee, you have come to the right place. These insects are common across the state, from the Mississippi Delta to the Appalachian foothills. Understanding which species you might see can help with gardening, farming, or just satisfying your curiosity.

Grasshoppers are part of the order Orthoptera, which also includes crickets and katydids. Tennessee hosts a diverse range of these jumping insects. Some are harmless, while others can become pests in gardens or crops. This article covers the most common species you will encounter.

Let’s jump straight into the main groups and species. You will find that each has unique markings, behaviors, and habitats. Knowing these details makes identification much easier.

Common Meadow Grasshoppers

These are the grasshoppers you see most often in fields and along roadsides. They are medium-sized and come in various colors.

Red-Legged Grasshopper (Melanoplus femurrubrum): This is one of the most widespread species. Look for red or orange lower legs. They are brown or green with a distinct pattern on the back. They feed on grasses and broadleaf plants.
Two-Striped Grasshopper (Melanoplus bivittatus): You can identify this one by two pale yellow stripes running from the head to the wing tips. They are large and can be green or brown. They prefer moist areas like riverbanks and crop fields.
Differential Grasshopper (Melanoplus differentialis): This is a heavy-bodied grasshopper with yellow or green coloring. Look for black chevron markings on the hind legs. They are common in gardens and can cause damage to vegetables.

Slant-Faced Grasshoppers

These grasshoppers have a slanted face, which gives them a pointed head. They are usually slender and prefer grassy habitats.

Green-Striped Grasshopper (Chortophaga viridifasciata): This is the species mentioned in the opening. It has a bright green body with a yellow or white stripe down the back. It is common in pastures and lawns during wet seasons.
Meadow Grasshopper (Orchelimum spp.): These are actually katydids, but they look like slender grasshoppers. They are bright green with long antennae. They sing from tall grass in summer.
Pygmy Grasshopper (Nomotettix cristatus): These are tiny, about half an inch long. They have a pointed head and a rough, brown body. They live near moist soil and leaf litter.

Band-Winged Grasshoppers

These grasshoppers have colorful hind wings that flash when they fly. The wings are often black, yellow, or red with a pale border.

Carolina Grasshopper (Dissosteira carolina): This is a large, brown grasshopper with black hind wings edged in yellow. It flies with a clicking sound. It prefers open, bare ground like dirt roads and fields.
Red-Winged Grasshopper (Arphia pseudonietana): Look for bright red hind wings with a dark band. The body is mottled brown or gray. They are common in grasslands and sing with a buzzing sound.
Yellow-Winged Grasshopper (Arphia xanthoptera): Similar to the red-winged, but with yellow hind wings. They are active in late summer and fall. You will see them in weedy areas.

Spur-Throated Grasshoppers

This group includes many of the pest species. They have a small spur on the underside of the thorax, between the front legs.

Migratory Grasshopper (Melanoplus sanguinipes): This is a medium-sized grasshopper with a gray or brown body. It can form large swarms in some years. It is common in Tennessee but rarely reaches outbreak levels.
Southern Green-Striped Grasshopper (Chortophaga viridifasciata): This is the same as the green-striped grasshopper listed earlier. It is also a spur-throated species. It is very common in Tennessee pastures.
Pasture Grasshopper (Melanoplus confusus): This is a small, brown grasshopper with a pale stripe on the back. It feeds on grasses and can be numerous in hayfields.

Lubber Grasshoppers

These are large, slow-moving grasshoppers that cannot fly. They are more common in the southern parts of Tennessee.

Eastern Lubber Grasshopper (Romalea microptera): This is a huge, clumsy grasshopper. It is black with yellow or red markings. It has short wings and cannot fly. It feeds on a wide variety of plants, including garden vegetables.
Plains Lubber Grasshopper (Brachystola magna): This is less common in Tennessee but can be found in dry, open areas. It is brown with a heavy body and short wings. It eats grasses and forbs.

Other Notable Species

Tennessee also hosts some less common grasshoppers that are worth mentioning.

Fork-Tailed Bush Katydid (Scudderia furcata): While not a true grasshopper, it is often mistaken for one. It is green with a long, slender body and long antennae. It lives in shrubs and trees.
Northern Green-Striped Grasshopper (Chortophaga viridifasciata): This is a color variation of the southern green-striped grasshopper. It is more common in the northern parts of the state.
Pine Tree Spur-Throat Grasshopper (Melanoplus punctulatus): This species lives in pine forests. It is brown with dark spots and feeds on pine needles.

Identifying Grasshoppers By Color And Markings

Color can be tricky because many grasshoppers change color as they grow. However, some patterns are consistent.

Green Grasshoppers

Solid green: Often the green-striped grasshopper or meadow katydids.
Green with stripes: Two-striped grasshopper or differential grasshopper.
Green with red legs: Red-legged grasshopper, though it can also be brown.

Brown Or Gray Grasshoppers

Mottled brown: Carolina grasshopper or red-winged grasshopper.
Brown with stripes: Two-striped grasshopper or migratory grasshopper.
Brown with red legs: Red-legged grasshopper in its brown form.

Black Or Dark Grasshoppers

Black with yellow or red: Eastern lubber grasshopper.
Dark brown with markings: Differential grasshopper or pine tree spur-throat.

Where To Find Grasshoppers In Tennessee

Different species prefer different habitats. Knowing where to look helps you find them.

Fields And Pastures

This is the most common habitat. You will find red-legged, two-striped, and differential grasshoppers here. They feed on grasses and clover. Look for them on sunny days when they are active.

Gardens And Crops

Gardens attract grasshoppers that like broadleaf plants. Differential and red-legged grasshoppers are common pests here. They can damage tomatoes, beans, and corn.

Woodlands And Forest Edges

Forest edges host species like the pine tree spur-throat and fork-tailed bush katydid. They prefer shade and feed on tree leaves and shrubs.

Wetlands And Streamsides

Moist areas attract green-striped grasshoppers and meadow katydids. They like tall grass and sedges near water.

Roadsides And Bare Ground

Carolina grasshoppers love open, bare soil. You will see them on dirt roads, gravel paths, and disturbed areas. They are easy to spot when they fly up.

Grasshopper Life Cycle In Tennessee

Understanding the life cycle helps you predict when grasshoppers will appear.

Egg stage: Grasshoppers lay eggs in the soil in late summer or fall. The eggs are in a pod, protected by a foamy covering. They overwinter in the ground.
Nymph stage: In spring, tiny nymphs hatch. They look like adults but have no wings. They molt several times as they grow.
Adult stage: By mid-summer, adults have fully developed wings. They mate and lay eggs. Most adults die by fall, but some survive until frost.

In Tennessee, most grasshoppers have one generation per year. Some species, like the green-striped grasshopper, may have two generations in warm years.

Grasshopper Behavior And Ecology

Grasshoppers play important roles in the ecosystem. They are food for birds, snakes, and other predators. They also help break down plant material.

Feeding Habits

Most grasshoppers eat grasses and leaves. Some species prefer specific plants. For example, the differential grasshopper likes broadleaf weeds and crops. The red-legged grasshopper eats a mix of grasses and forbs.

Mating And Communication

Male grasshoppers sing to attract females. They rub their wings or legs together to make sounds. Some species, like the Carolina grasshopper, make a clicking sound in flight.

Defense Mechanisms

Grasshoppers use several defenses. They can jump away quickly. Some species have bright colors that warn predators they taste bad. Lubber grasshoppers secrete a foul-smelling foam.

Grasshoppers As Pests In Tennessee

While most grasshoppers are harmless, some can become pests. They can damage crops, gardens, and pastures.

Common Pest Species

Differential grasshopper: This is the most damaging pest in gardens. It eats leaves and stems of vegetables.
Red-legged grasshopper: This species can damage hayfields and pastures. It feeds on grasses and clover.
Two-striped grasshopper: This large grasshopper can eat a lot of plant material. It is common in crop fields.

When Grasshoppers Become A Problem

Grasshopper populations can explode in dry years. When food is scarce, they move into gardens and crops. They can strip plants of leaves quickly.

Natural Control Methods

You can manage grasshoppers without chemicals. Encourage natural predators like birds, spiders, and praying mantises. Keep your garden clean of weeds and debris. Use row covers to protect young plants.

Chemical Control Options

If natural methods fail, you can use insecticides. Baits containing carbaryl or spinosad work well. Apply them early in the season when nymphs are small. Always follow label instructions.

How To Observe Grasshoppers Safely

Grasshoppers are fun to watch. Here are some tips for safe observation.

Use a net: A butterfly net helps you catch grasshoppers without hurting them.
Look in the morning: Grasshoppers are less active in the cool morning. They are easier to catch.
Wear long pants: Grasshoppers can jump onto your legs. Long pants protect you from their spines.
Handle gently: Hold grasshoppers by the thorax, not the legs. They can drop a leg if scared.
Release them: After observing, let them go where you found them.

Grasshopper Identification Tips

Identifying grasshoppers can be tricky. Here are some key features to look at.

Body Shape

Slender body: Usually a slant-faced grasshopper or katydid.
Thick body: Usually a spur-throated grasshopper or lubber.
Short wings: Often a nymph or a lubber.

Legs

Red or orange legs: Red-legged grasshopper.
Black markings on legs: Differential grasshopper.
Spines on legs: Many species have spines, but look for the pattern.

Wings

Colorful hind wings: Band-winged grasshopper.
Clear or brown wings: Spur-throated or slant-faced grasshopper.
Short wings: Lubber or nymph.

Antennae

Short antennae: True grasshoppers.
Long antennae: Katydids or crickets.

Seasonal Guide To Grasshoppers In Tennessee

Different species appear at different times of the year.

Spring (March-May)

Nymphs start hatching. You will see small, wingless grasshoppers. Green-striped grasshoppers are common in wet areas.

Summer (June-August)

Adults are abundant. Red-legged, two-striped, and differential grasshoppers are everywhere. Carolina grasshoppers start flying.

Fall (September-November)

Many species are still active. Yellow-winged grasshoppers appear. Lubber grasshoppers are most visible. Eggs are laid in the soil.

Winter (December-February)

Most grasshoppers die. Only eggs survive in the soil. Some adults may linger in warm spots.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common grasshopper in Tennessee?

The red-legged grasshopper is the most common species. You can find it in fields, gardens, and roadsides across the state.

Are there any poisonous grasshoppers in Tennessee?

No grasshoppers in Tennessee are poisonous to humans. The eastern lubber grasshopper can secrete a foul-smelling foam, but it is not toxic.

How can I tell a grasshopper from a katydid?

Grasshoppers have short antennae, while katydids have long, thin antennae. Katydids also have a more slender body and are usually bright green.

Do grasshoppers bite?

Grasshoppers can bite if handled roughly, but it is rare. Their jaws are designed for chewing plants, not skin. A bite might feel like a pinch.

What should I do if grasshoppers are eating my garden?

Try natural methods first, like attracting birds or using row covers. If the problem is severe, use insecticidal baits. Apply them early in the season for best results.

Conclusion

Now you know the main types of grasshoppers in Tennessee. From the common red-legged grasshopper to the large eastern lubber, each species has its own story. You can identify them by color, markings, and habitat. Remember that most are harmless and play a role in the ecosystem. If you find them in your garden, you have options to manage them. Enjoy watching these fascinating insects in your backyard or on a hike. They are a sign of a healthy, diverse environment.