Insect
Carolina Grasshopper
Dissosteira carolinaAlso known as Carolina Locust, Black-winged Grasshopper, Road-duster, Quaker
Carolina grasshoppers are masters of camouflage, blending seamlessly against dusty soils until flushed into flight, where they unfurl broad black wings edged in buttery yellow. Males perform fluttery courtship hovering flights over sunbaked dirt roads, producing a dry crackling sound known as crepitation. Widespread across North America, these conspicuous band-winged grasshoppers play a key role as daytime herbivores in open, disturbed landscapes.
InsectCamouflagedBand-winged
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyGrasses, Dandelions, Clover
Predators
- Birds
- Robber Flies
- Spiders
ThreatsWidespread pesticide application and habitat loss through paving
HabitatsDry grasslands, bare dirt paths, gravel roadsides, and agricultural fields
Life span3–5 months as adults
Classification
- OrderOrthoptera
- FamilyAcrididae
- GenusDissosteira
- SpeciesDissosteira carolina
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
- Spotting: Look along dry dirt tracks or gravel paths on warm summer afternoons where they sun themselves.
- Observing Flight: Watch flushed individuals to spot their butterfly-like flight and contrasty yellow-bordered wings.
- Handling Caution: Avoid grasping them tightly, as they regurgitate a harmless dark defensive fluid when distressed.
Competitor (c) Robert Webster, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Robert Webster · cc-by-sa
Frequent Neighbor [2] / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Justin, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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