E-Fauna BC: Electronic Atlas of the Wildlife of British Columbia

Found in areas of thick vegetation in arid areas usually near water; often abundant in disturbed areas, such as roadsides, abandoned fields and along fencerows (Capinera et al. 2004). Preferred habitat near the coast is salt marsh (Miskelly, pers. Comm. 2010).

Global Range:

This species is found throughout the US, except for the coastal plains of the southeast, Mexico, and parts of northern Canada (Capinera et al. 2004). Pfadts (2010) says: “In the eastern United States and Canada, it is the most abundant species of grasshopper.”

BC Range:

Found across southern British Columbia (Miskelly pers. Comm. 2010).

This is an agricultural pest that can damage alfalfa, clover, soybeans, and small grains during outbreaks; it is also known to damage corn, tobacco, and vegetables - especially beans, beets, cabbage, and potatoes (Pfadt 2010). It is generally a solitary species, however Pfadt (2010) provides the following information about outbreaks and populaiton ecology: “Historical records from the late 1800s till the 1980s indicate that a center of distribution of the redlegged grasshopper is present in a 78,000 square mile area composed of sections of Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. A center is an especially favorable zone where the redlegged grasshopper is abundant and outbreaks are frequent. In such a distribution zone, populations respond quickly during spring and summer to reduced rainfall and warm temperatures. Within one to two years small populations may increase to outbreak numbers. Densities in these years reach peaks of 200 to 500 nymphs per square yard. Outbreaks last for two to three years until normal rainfall and cool spring temperatures reduce populations back to low noninjurious numbers. The periods of low densities range from two years to over five years. In western states densities of the redlegged grasshopper fluctuate widely, apparently in response to annual changes in weather. Large populations develop in irrigated fields of alfalfa and along roadsides, particularly in patches of sweetclover. This species may also add considerably to the density of outbreak assemblages of the migratory, twostriped, and differential grasshoppers.”