Insect · GBIF taxon 1707333
Obscure Bird Grasshopper
Schistocerca obscuraAlso known as Obscure Grasshopper, Dark Bird Grasshopper
Obscure bird grasshoppers are large, strong-flying insects recognized by their dark brownish-olive color and a bright yellow-green stripe extending along the back. Found across fields, woodland edges, and garden habitats in the southern United States, they leap and fly with impressive agility when disturbed. Females deposit egg pods into loose soil, where the eggs overwinter before emerging as nymphs in spring.
HerbivoreStrong FlierCamouflaged
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Grasses
- Broadleaf herbs
- Shrub foliage
Predators
- Birds
- Robber flies
- Rodents
ThreatsPesticide application, land development
HabitatsOld fields, pastures, woodland edges, scrublands
Life span1 year
Classification
- OrderOrthoptera
- FamilyAcrididae
- GenusSchistocerca
- SpeciesSchistocerca obscura
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Approach Slowly: Move cautiously in cool morning hours when individuals are less active.
- Visual Identification: Look for the conspicuous pale yellow stripe running down the thorax.
- Careful Handling: Avoid squeezing because their back legs have sharp spines that scratch.
Genus Member Christiaan Kooyman / Public domain · cc0
Co-occurring Species no rights reserved, uploaded by Dennis White · cc0
Close Relative Bob Peterson from North Palm Beach, Florida, Planet Earth! / CC BY-SA 2.0 · cc-by-sa
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Mystic Meadows
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