Insect · GBIF taxon 1712074
Encoptolophus sordidus
Encoptolophus sordidusAlso known as Dusky Grasshopper, Dusky Locust
Clouded grasshoppers thrive in old fields, pastures, and disturbed roadsides across central and eastern North America. Males court mates during warm autumn afternoons by performing short hovering flights accompanied by a distinctive, crackling crepitation. Their mottled brownish-grey coloration closely mimics dried soil and senescent vegetation, granting them cryptic protection long after summer green fades.
CamouflagedLate SeasonHerbivorous
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Orchard grass
- Timothy grass
- White clover
Predators
- American Kestrel
- Praying Mantis
- Grasshopper Sparrow
ThreatsPesticide spraying and heavy mechanical tillage
HabitatsOld fields, dry pastures, roadsides, and meadows
Life span1 year (overwinters as eggs)
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderOrthoptera
- FamilyAcrididae
- GenusEncoptolophus
- SpeciesEncoptolophus sordidus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Harmless to humans and safe to observe up close.
Responsible observation
- Approaching: Walk slowly through sunny fields and watch where they land among dried grasses.
- Listening: Listen for low crackling clicks made by flying males on warm autumn days.
Seasonal Alternate (c) OakleyOriginals, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Healthy Yards, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Healthy Yards · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Robert Webster, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Robert Webster · cc-by-sa
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Mystic Meadows
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