Green Fool Grasshopper (Acrolophitus hirtipes) (Say, 1825) |
Synonyms: Gryllus hirtipes, Acrolophitus uniformis, Acrolophitus variegatus, Crested-keel grasshopper, Plains point-head grasshopper |
Acrolophitus hirtipes inhabits the Great Plains of North America, from southern Canada to northeastern Mexico. This species occurs in grasslands, primarily shortgrass prairies, where it is strongly associated with specific host plants of the families Loasaceae, Boranginaceae, and Verbenaceae. It is green, sometimes brown, often with mottling; 30-50 mm in length. Head pointed. Antennae reddish to black. Pronotum with a prominent crest. Wings greenish yellow, and with a broad black cross-band.