by Eric Neubauer
All photos copyright 2020, Eric Neubauer.
Fact Sheet
• Range is south-central Great Plains into Mexico.
• 26th most commonly observed grasshopper in Texas at iNaturalist.
• Eye oval in shape, less curved in front; dark with fine tan mottling.
• Thin black stripe extends from front of eye, just over and past antenna.
• Female has vestigial wings and is flightless.
• Male has functional wings which usually extend beyond the abdomen.
• Most have black “eyebrow”, curved on top and flattened on bottom.
• Light dorsal stripes on pronotum are parallel toward front rather than pinched, then widening and fading toward back; slight pinching on males.
• Front lateral edge of pronotum usually light.
• Abdomen with black sides appears striped as segments have pale trailing edge. Black may be eroded, especially on females. Top of abdomen is pale.
• Hind femur strongly banded on male
• Outside of femur on female mostly black; back and inside may show banding.
• Hind tibia violet on at least one female; apparently tibiae not colored on instars.
• Female colors tan, green, and black.
• Male colors dark brown, black, and yellowish tan.
The habits of this species aren’t well known. Photos of male abdomen and most instars are lacking here.
More Photos
You are welcome to download this PDF of the photo essay. Click the Download link below.
Reference:
https://idtools.org/id/grasshoppers/factsheet.php?name=17690
Note: Boopedon nubilium is found in western Texas. The male is black. The typical female is mostly pale brown and somewhat similar to B. gracile.
Nature Along the El Camino Real 